A person with Dementia may feel agitated and aggressive. He or she may become restless, causing a need to move around or pace, or become upset in certain places or when focused on specific details. Behavioral and psychological symptoms are very common in Dementia and affect up to 90% of people living with Dementia. In addition to memory changes, people with Dementia may experience agitation, psychosis, anxiety, depression, and apathy. These behavioral symptoms often lead to greater distress than memory changes.
When people with Dementia become agitated or aggressive, doctors often prescribe medications to control their behaviors in spite of the known risks of serious side effects. The most frequently prescribed medication classes for agitation in Dementia carry serious risks of falls, heart problems, stroke, and even death.
Caregivers, who often experience burnout in managing aggressive behaviors, welcome medications that can temporarily decrease agitation. Unfortunately, aggressive and agitated behavior often contributes to the decision to transition a loved one to an alternative living situation.
