Developed by experts in the field, the American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias of Late Life provides invaluable assistance to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals who care for patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body disease, Pick's disease, and other frontal lobe dementias. This inclusive guideline contains important advice on the development of an individual, long-term treatment plan that can accommodate the changing nature of these illnesses and address new issues as they arise. It outlines psychiatric management--the cornerstone of the treatment of patients with dementia--and then reviews the specific psychosocial interventions and pharmacological options available. The guideline then discusses special considerations for elderly and dementia populations and describes the factors that may modify treatment decisions, including comorbid conditions, site-specific issues, and demographic and social factors. Directions for future research are also examined. Using these guidelines, clinicians can provide long-term treatment and management of their patients with dementia and enable them to live their remaining years with dignity and in comfort. CME credit is available by completing a CME self-study test based on the material presented in this practice guideline, then mailing the form and the fee to the APA Office of Education. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. The APA designates this educational activity for up to 3.0 hours in Category 1 credit toward the Physicians Recognition Award of the American Medical Association and for the CME requirement of the APA. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

Working with the needs of patients with Alzheimer's disease can be a major challenge for primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals. Alzheimer's wreaks havoc on the patient, and its degenerative nature can create a protracted period of anguish and anxiety for the patient's family. Now in its third edition, "Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias" uses concise and clear language to outline the symptoms, effects, and treatments used to combat the progress of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias likely to be suffered by other patients. Enriched by case studies from his own clinical practice, Dr. Marc Agronin creates a volume full of humanity, insight, and knowledge that is sure to inform and improve the habits and methods of any clinician who deals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. -- From publisher's description.