Medication for Dementia PatientsMany older adults with dementia (and especially Alzheimer's) are medicated to deal with difficult behavior problems. This is because these neuropsychiatric symptoms, which include hallucinations and agitation, are distressing to the person affected as well as their family caregivers.  tracking device for elderly with dementia In general, nondrug methods of addressing behaviors are recommended first. However, if the behavior becomes intolerable or dangerous for the person or their family caregivers, it's often reasonable to try medications. Benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and cholinesterase inhibitors are all commonly used to treat behavioral issues in people with dementia. wandering alarms for dementia These drugs work by increasing the levels of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. This can help improve memory and thinking in people with Alzheimer's. It is also helpful for some people with Lewy-Body or Parkinson's dementia and in those who have a mixed diagnosis of Alzheimer's and vascular disease. The medicines are available as pills or as liquids or tablets that dissolve. Side effects are common and include loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea.The cholinesterase inhibitors, sold under the brand names of Aricept, Rivastigmine and Namzaric, can slow the decline in cognitive function caused by Alzheimer's. They are usually prescribed to people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's. This group of drugs are generally better tolerated than benzodiazepines and have less risk of increased falls or confusion. A newer medication called quetiapine is also available as a cholinesterase inhibitor that may be an option for some people with visual hallucinations in Lewy-Body or Parkinson's disease dementia. It is generally better tolerated than the other cholinesterase inhibitors and is associated with fewer side effects such as sleep disturbances.