The American Geriatrics Society’s Guide to the Management of Psychotic Disorders and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia in Older Adults was released recently on their website, located at http://www.americangeriatrics.org/. The guide is the latest resource for clinicians to use in the diagnosis and treatment of older clients with symptoms of mental health challenges such as major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar and dementia. The guide details the risk factors of these issues and offers valuable tools to help clinicians evaluate and treat these problems. Additionally, the guide contains research and statistics demonstrating the effect of antipsychotic medications on mortality, illness and treatment outcomes for clients with dementia. There is an in-depth resource contained in the guide that provides references for clinicians to use when determining which treatment options to consider.

For the treatment of schizophrenia, manic and depressive episodes and dementia, the guide provides an extensive assortment of tables outlining various medications and offers advice for the treatment of side effects resulting from antipsychotic medications. Included in the guide is a chart specifically designed to address the delusions and hallucinations a client may experience, offering recommendations and valuable information on how to address those symptoms as well.

The psychotic disorders covered in the guide include substance-related psychosis, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, Lewy body dementia and psychosis related to differential diagnoses. The guide also contains pertinent information relating to the management and treatment of specific neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, including manic behavior, depression, hallucinations, delusions and aggression. “The AGS has once again created a resource that is invaluable to clinicians who treat older adults,” said Barbara Resnick, Ph.D., CRNP, and AGS President, in a recent article. “The tables, figures, summary of studies, and references are a useful aid for providers and trainees alike, in any discipline that involves the care of older adults in a variety of healthcare settings.” The guide is available online and will soon be available for smartphones.

© Copyright 2011 by By Noah Rubinstein, LMFT, LMHC, therapist in Olympia, Washington. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org.

The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.