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The angry elderly patient. An approach to understanding
Postgraduate Medicine
|December 1, 1983
Abstract:
Management of an angry or violent elderly patient can be difficult. It is most helpful to understand that the cause of the combatant behavior can be physical, psychologic, or drug-related. If the patient is approachable, immediate management involves sitting down with him or her to calmly discuss what happened. If the patient is unapproachable, a gentle but firm show of force and administration of a sedative is required. All patients with dramatic change in behavior should receive a complete physical examination to rule out a reversible cause. Long-term management may be arduous but is worthwhile.