Now in its Second Edition, this practical guide focuses on assessment, diagnosis, and management of the complex array of dementia disorders seen in older patients. Using the conversational style and clinical vignettes found in all Practical Guides in Psychiatry titles, Dr. Agronin addresses all the subtypes of dementia and associated psychiatric conditions such as agitation, psychosis, and depression. This edition features a new chapter on mild cognitive impairment and expanded coverage of Alzheimer disease and risk factors.

Chapters offer advice on caregiver support and legal and ethical concerns. Handy pocket-card appendices include tests used in the dementia workup and treatment guides for agitation, psychosis, and depression.

The Practical Guides in Psychiatry series provides quick, concise information for professionals on the front lines of mental health care. Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, these invaluable resources take you through each step of the psychiatric care process, delivering fast facts and helpful strategies that help you provide effective and compassionate care to your patients.

SECTION I: CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF DEMENTIA

Dementia Defined

The Dementia Interview

The Dementia Workup I: History

The Dementia Workup II: Physical, Neurological, and Mental Status Examination

The Dementia Workup III: Medical, Psychiatric, and Neuropsychological Tests

SECTION II:DEMENTIA SUBTYPES

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Alzheimer Disease: Definition and Diagnosis

Treatment of Alzheimer Disease

Vascular Dementia

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Frontotemporal Dementia

Dementia Associated with Medical Conditions

SECTION III:PSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DEMENTIA

Assessment of Agitation and Psychosis

Treatment of Agitation and Psychosis

Assessment and Treatment of Depression and Apathy

SECTION IV:PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES IN DEMENTIA CARE

Caring for the Caregiver

Legal and Ethical Issues

APPENDICES

A: Pocket Cards: Dementia Workup

Dementia Screen Questions

The Dementia Workup: History

The Dementia Workup: Physical Examination

The Dementia Workup: Mental Status Examination

The Cognitive Screen for Dementia

Clock Drawing Test

The Dementia Workup: Tests

B: Pocket Cards: Agitation, Psychosis, and Delirium in Dementia

Assessment of Agitation and Psychosis in Dementia

Confusion Assessment Method Rating Scale for Delirium

Treatment of Agitation and Psychosis in Dementia

OBRA, or Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, Guidelines

OBRA, or Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, Dosing Guidelines

C: Pocket Cards: Depression in Dementia

Assessment of Depression in Dementia

Depression Symptom Checklist for Dementia

Psychopharmacologic Treatment of Depression in Dementia

D: Pocket Card: Caregiver Assessment

The Mini-Burden Interview

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