The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
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Am J Geriatr Psychiatry · Mar 2003
Agitation and depression in frail nursing home elderly patients with dementia: treatment characteristics and service use.
The authors describe characteristics, treatment, and acute service use associated with agitation and depression in dementia. ⋯ Dementia complicated by mixed agitation and depression accounts for over one-third of complicated dementia and is associated with multiple psychiatric and medical needs, intensive pharmacological treatment, and use of high-cost services. Research should target this complex, high-risk group to develop appropriate diagnostic criteria and effective treatment interventions.