Older adults are particularly vulnerable to adverse drug reactions due to polypharmacy, medical comorbidities, and age-related changes in drug metabolism.

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to adverse drug reactions due to polypharmacy, medical comorbidities, and age-related changes in drug metabolism.

Psychopharmacology in older adults is uniquely complicated by age-related changes in drug metabolism, increased sensitivity to side effects, and the frequent presence of comorbid medical conditions.

Wandering and sundowning are challenging behaviors observed in patients with dementia.

Symptoms of psychosis are common in people with dementia.

The incidence of depression is up to 30% in patients with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and even higher in people with vascular dementia (VaD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). 

Apathy is the most common behavioral disturbance in dementia, impacting up to 36% of patients with dementia and 12%–40% of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Nonpharmacological interventions are the first-line treatment of agitation in patients with dementia due to their better safety profile and effectiveness, though they are unsuitable in situations where immediate results are needed.

Nonurgent agitation consists of distressing symptoms and behaviors that do not immediately jeopardize patient or caregiver safety.

Urgent agitation threatens the safety and well-being of the patient and others, like caregivers and staff.