Pharmacologic strategies for the treatment of agitation and aggression include tranquilizing medications, for short term management, and for longer term management antipsychotics. Antipsychotics have now become so widely utilized for the management of agitation and behavioral symptoms that more than 70% of antipsychotic prescriptions are for off label purposes (Glick et al 2001). Some studies have demonstrated that almost a third of nursing home resident are on antipsychotics (Chen, 2010) . The majority of these prescriptions are for agitation or aggression. This is concerning, particularly for elderly or demented individuals as studies suggest that convention and atypical antipsychotics are associated with significantly higher 12 month mortality rate than other psychotropics.
Strategies for agitation management can be divided into two categories-immediate and preventative. Immediate interventions are those that are used when someone is already agitated in order to de-escalate them. Preventative strategies are implemented to pre-empt or reduce early signs of agitation, before a high level of distress occurs.. …show more content…
These strategies capitalize on modifying caregiver approach ,reducing stimulation (internal and external), and allowing the individual to de-escalate in safe and peaceful environment. Body language in these settings is important, as even impaired patients can respond to non-verbal cues. Power struggles between caregivers and patients are often observed in escalated agitation, and it is important for care providers to become comfortable with retreating in these moments (although being clear that they will later return, so as not to reinforce the
Strategies for agitation management can be divided into two categories-immediate and preventative. Immediate interventions are those that are used when someone is already agitated in order to de-escalate them. Preventative strategies are implemented to pre-empt or reduce early signs of agitation, before a high level of distress occurs.. …show more content…
These strategies capitalize on modifying caregiver approach ,reducing stimulation (internal and external), and allowing the individual to de-escalate in safe and peaceful environment. Body language in these settings is important, as even impaired patients can respond to non-verbal cues. Power struggles between caregivers and patients are often observed in escalated agitation, and it is important for care providers to become comfortable with retreating in these moments (although being clear that they will later return, so as not to reinforce the