(Photo credit: andyreis/SXC)
When we grow old, we hope that we’ll be well taken care of, whether we decide to continue living independently, with family or in a nursing home.
With more baby boomers reaching the age of retirement, our current healthcare facilities are overstretched when it comes to providing healthcare to seniors with dementia, which has led to our high usage of atypical antipsychotic drugs.
These antipsychotic drugs are a controversial method to control dementia patients since there are serious risks related to its use, such as doubling the chances of death.
These drugs are meant to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, but they’ve also been used to treat behavioural and psychological issues, such as psychosis, agitation, aggression and other symptoms experienced by seniors with dementia.
“While many physicians who we interviewed find these drugs to be useful tools when managing behavioural issues in elderly patients with dementia, our systematic review suggests that the risks associated with these products may outweigh the benefits in many elderly patients when used inappropriately,” said Tara Gomes, a scientist at Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital and the scientific lead of the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network, in a press release.
“Furthermore, the rising use of these medications and variation in their use across Ontario suggests that there is a sizeable group of elderly patients who could be treated more safely and perhaps more effectively with other non-drug therapies.”
The use of atypical antipsychotic drugs by seniors living in the community rose by 26 per cent over the last five years, according to a recent St. Michael’s Hospital study. They were used two per cent less in long-term care homes during this timeframe, but use in care homes remains much higher at 328 per 1,000 elderly.
“Although the rate of atypical antipsychotic use is higher in long-term care homes, two-thirds of all users live in the community, and approximately 40 per cent of those starting these drugs in the community end up moving to a long-term care home within one year,” said Gomes.
Antipsychotic drug use varied across the province. The Erie St. Clair LHIN (Sarnia-Windsor area) and the North West LHIN (Thunder Bay-Kenora area) had the highest rates of antipsychotic use in long-term care homes. While the North Simcoe, Muskoka LHIN (Barrie-Orillia area) had the highest rate antipsychotic use in the community. The Mississauga LHIN had the lowest rate of antipsychotic use in long-term care homes, while the North West LHIN (Thunder Bay-Kenora area) had the lowest rate of antipsychotic use in the community.
The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network recently recommended reducing the use of these drugs by finding alternative options to treat these symptoms.
Abuse in a nursing home is a serious issue and if you suspect that a loved one may be a victim, you can file a negligence claim. The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been handling all types of injuries for over 45 years including injuries from negligent medical workers. We understand the impacts injuries can have on your life and we know how to help you. Call us at 416-920-4242. Set up a free consultation and come talk with us.
Greg Neinstein
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