Caring for people with learning disabilities and dementia: pharmacotherapeutic considerations.

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your understanding of dementia in people with learning disabilities, including the increased risk of early-onset Alzheimer's disease in people with Down's syndrome • To recognise pharmacological treatments used for the management of dementia and the imp...

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Publicado en:Learning Disability Practice Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 16 - 24
Autores principales: Harper, Lynette, Mackay, Sarah
Formato: pictorial review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom (The) Feb2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Feb2026
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      pub: Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom (The)
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        atl: Caring for people with learning disabilities and dementia: pharmacotherapeutic considerations.
      aug:
        au:
          Harper, Lynette
          Mackay, Sarah
        affil: Assistant professor, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
      sug:
        subj:
          Dementia Drug Therapy
          Learning Disorders Drug Therapy
          Donepezil Therapeutic Use
          Donepezil Adverse Effects
          Down Syndrome
          Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factors
          Risk Assessment
          Cues
          Aging
          Comorbidity
          Polypharmacy
          Dementia Nursing
          Nursing Care
          Rivastigmine Therapeutic Use
          Rivastigmine Adverse Effects
          Memantine Therapeutic Use
          Memantine Adverse Effects
      ab: Why you should read this article: • To enhance your understanding of dementia in people with learning disabilities, including the increased risk of early-onset Alzheimer's disease in people with Down's syndrome • To recognise pharmacological treatments used for the management of dementia and the importance of medicine dose adjustments and monitoring of side effects in people with learning disabilities • To stay informed about new and emerging dementia medicines. People with learning disabilities, particularly those with Down's syndrome, are at increased risk of developing dementia, often at a younger age than the general population. Although there is no cure for dementia, treatment can include dementia medicines that aim to alleviate the associated symptoms and delay progression of the disease. The dementia medicine selected depends on the type and stage of the condition, contraindications and potential drug interactions with those prescribed for comorbid health conditions. This article provides an overview of dementia in people with learning disabilities and explores the use of dementia medicines in this population, including the implications of comorbidities and polypharmacy in terms of dose titration and risk of side effects. The authors also discuss new and emerging dementia medicines.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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