MID
Treatment
There is no treatment for MID. The goal is to control symptoms and correct risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The health care provider may recommend other treatments.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
The diagnosis and treatment environment should be pleasant, comfortable, nonthreatening, and physically safe. Some patients may need to stay in the hospital for a short time. The health care provider will try to find the cause and treat it.
Stopping or changing medications that worsen or cause confusion may improve mental function. Medications that may cause confusion include:
- Anticholinergics (including antidepressants such as amitriptyline or imipramine)
- Central nervous system depressants
- Cimetidine
- Lidocaine
- Pain relievers
Disorders that may contribute to confusion include:
- Anemia
-
Heart failure - Infections
- Low oxygen (
hypoxia ) - Mental conditions such as depression
- Nutritional disorders
-
Thyroid disorders
Treating medical and mental disorders often greatly improves function.
Medications may be needed to control aggressive, agitated, or dangerous behaviors. The health care provider will usually prescribe these medicines in very low doses and adjust the dose as needed. Such medications may include:
- Antipsychotics (olanzapine, quetiapine)
- Beta blockers
- Serotonin-affecting drugs (trazodone, buspirone, or fluoxetine).
Medications used to treat Alzheimer's disease have not been shown to work for MID.
Hearing aids, glasses, or
LONG-TERM TREATMENT
The following may be helpful in caring for a person with MID:
- Adult day care
- Adult protective services
- Boarding homes
- Community resources
- Convalescent homes
- Family counseling
- Homemakers
- In-home care
- Visiting nurses or aides
- Volunteer services
Other care tips:
- Keep familiar objects and people around.
- Leave lights on at night.
- Stick to a simple schedule of activities.
- Use behavior modification to help control unacceptable or dangerous behaviors.
- Use reality orientation with environmental cues to help reduce disorientation.
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