Due to staff shortages in nursing homes, elderly people with dementia are prescribed psychotropic drugs more often than desired. Specialists in geriatric medicine have been arguing for years that the use of antipsychotics and antidepressants among others should be reduced in people with dementia, but this has so far been little heeded. Pointer reports this.
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Demented elderly people sometimes suffer from hallucinations and restless behaviour. Despite the fact that psychotropic drugs are often not intended for this, nursing homes do give this to their residents to let them relax. For example, the drug seroquel is regularly prescribed. However, the package leaflet states that this medicine is not specifically for elderly people with dementia because it increases the risk of stroke or death.
Not desirable
Despite calls to reduce the use of psychotropic drugs among frail older people, 55 percent of elderly people in nursing homes receive such medication. According to professor Rob van Marum, this is not desirable, but care providers are at a loss. By giving personal attention to a patient who loses control of the world, a part can be overcome. But that is not possible 24/7. “Out of desperation, medication is prescribed in nursing homes, which can cause dangerous side effects. And we know about these resources from all kinds of research: it usually doesn’t work, but sometimes it does.”
By: National Care Guide
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