One state known to be one of the worst for overusing antipsychotic drugs with dementia patients has some nursing homes trying to reduce the use of these drugs. One nursing home is advocating alternate care and education of staff to combat the excessive use. Patients with dementia receive medication orders for antipsychotic drugs that are not actually approved to treat dementia.
Advocates of reducing use of the drugs are promoting focus on the underlying reasons for the behavior attempting to be controlled by medication. Although the advocacy has begun, the effect has been little to date. “Have we had some reduction? Yes,” said the executive director of the state's Advocates for Better Care, a group that works on behalf of nursing home residents. “But in comparison to what other states have done, pretty much none.” For more, read the story.
