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Managing dementia-related behavior in the community
1College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA.
Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Psychotropic agent use in dementia requires careful monitoring to prevent adverse effects. Pharmacists play a crucial role in advising caregivers and ensuring appropriate medication management for dementia patients.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Inappropriate psychotropic agent use and insufficient monitoring pose risks for dementia patients.
- Healthcare Financing Administration (HCFA) regulations offer guidance for psychotropic agent use in community-dwelling dementia patients.
- Caregiver education on identifying adverse effects of psychotropic agents is often inadequate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the risks associated with psychotropic agents in dementia care.
- To emphasize the importance of HCFA regulations in guiding appropriate psychotropic agent use.
- To underscore the pharmacist's role in managing dementia patients and educating caregivers.
Main Methods:
- Review of HCFA regulations pertaining to psychotropic agents in dementia care.
- Analysis of caregiver training needs regarding adverse effects of psychotropic agents.
- Examination of the pharmacist's advisory role in multidisciplinary patient management teams.
Main Results:
- Adverse effects of psychotropic agents can be detrimental to dementia patients.
- HCFA regulations provide a framework for appropriate psychotropic agent prescription and monitoring.
- A significant number of caregivers lack the necessary training to recognize psychotropic agent side effects.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacists are essential members of the healthcare team, providing advisory support for dementia patients.
- Improved caregiver education and adherence to regulations are vital for safe psychotropic agent use in dementia.
- Optimizing psychotropic agent management in dementia requires collaboration between healthcare professionals, caregivers, and regulatory guidelines.