SGE003 | From Distress to De-Escalation: Managing Agitation in Patients with Delirium or Dementia

SGE003

Authors

Dr. Christina Shenvi

Course Description

Agitation in older adults can result from a variety of causes, including delirium, dementia, psychiatric illness, or unmet medical needs. This high-yield session equips learners to distinguish between common sources of agitation and apply a tiered approach to management, starting with non-pharmacologic strategies. Special consideration is given to medication safety in vulnerable populations, such as those with Parkinson’s or Lewy Body Dementia.

Learning Objectives

1. Differentiate behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) from delirium.
2. Utilize a tiered approach—non-pharmacologic, oral, and parenteral—for agitation management
3. Recognize high-risk scenarios and tailor treatment to patients with Parkinson’s or Lewy Body Dementia..

Run Time: ~22 minutes

Target Audience: Emergency Department Clinical Staff

SAGE Program

These courses were developed for the Syllabus for Advancing Geriatric EM Education (SAGE). They’re designed to help medical residents better understand how to manage geriatric patients in the ED.