DIFFICULT DEMENTIA - 6 STEPS TO CONTROL PROBLEM BEHAVIORS

For patients with a confirmed diagnosis of dementia, your challenge is to promote a quality life during their remaining years. This task oft en includes managing problem behaviors. A systematic approach starts w ith pinpointing the nature of the specific behavior, reviewing possibl e physical and emotional stressors, and checking for coexisting affect ive or psychotic disorders. It often helps to reduce environmental sti mulation and to simplify the patient's tasks. Drug therapy with an ant ipsychotic or benzodiazepine is indicated if a clear-cut behavioral st rategy has not proven fully effective, the behavior has been well docu mented, and the behavior presents a clear danger to the patient or oth ers or prevents necessary care for occurring.