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Chapter 14 - Management of Violence in Older Adults

from Section 4 - Management in Other Groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2023

By
Jonathan Waite  and
Juliette Brown
Edited by
Masum Khwaja  and
Peter Tyrer
Masum Khwaja
Affiliation:
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
Peter Tyrer
Affiliation:
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
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Summary

Violence from older adults is a challenge for healthcare services. Risk factors include those common to working-age adults, namely substance misuse, active psychotic symptoms and inadequate care, and those more typical in older age, including cognitive impairment, acute confusion and pain. Aggression is a barrier to good care and a challenge to manage in older adults who are more vulnerable to medication effects and side effects. Medications must be used with caution. Prevention of violence through sensitive person-centred care and management of risk factors is recommended, as is non-pharmacological management. Here, we review management through non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures.

Keywords

Olderviolencemanagementassessmentmedication
Type
Chapter
Information
The Prevention and Management of Violence
Guidance for Mental Healthcare Professionals
 , pp. 234 - 247
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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