Essential Information for Patient and Family

• Memory loss is common in old age and usually proceeds slowly.
• Behaviour problems (e.g. agitation, suspiciousness, emotional outbursts) result from memory loss and confusion

.Specific Counselling to Patient and Family

• Assess the patient's ability to perform daily tasks safely.
• Give frequent reminders of time and place to reduce confusion.
• Unfamiliar places, physical illness, or mental stress can increase confusion.
• Discuss need to reduce stress on caregivers. Support from other families caring for relatives with dementia may be helpful.
• Discuss planning for legal and financial affairs.
• As appropriate, discuss arrangements for support in the home, community or day care programes, or residential placement.

Medication

• Avoid use of sedative or hypnotic medications.
• Antipsychotic medication in low doses(e.g. haleperidol 0.5 to 1 mg up to bid) may sometimes be needed to control agitation.

Specialist Consultation

• Consider consultation for medical causes of dementia requiring specialist treatment (e.g. syphilis, subdural haematoma).
• Uncontrollable agitation may require placement in a hospital or nursing home.