Pmh81 Antipsychotic Use in Seniors: An Analysis Focusing on Drug Claims From 2001 to 2007

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: Are there any effective alternative-to-antipsychotics strategies?

“…Similar findings have been reported by researchers in Manitoba, New Brunswick and P.E.I. shown that older adults living in residential care are more likely (37.7%) to use antipsychotics as compared to those living in the community (2.6%) 6 . Current recommendations suggest weighing the clinical benefits of antipsychotics against their potential risks 6 and adverse events 11 , and instead, using evidence-based and effective psycho-social strategies such as physical activities and caregiver interventions 12 .…”

“…Combinations of the following keywords and search terms were used: 'dementia', 'agitation', 'aggression', 'antipsychotics', elderly (aged or frail elderly), older adults (frail older adults), residential care/ long-term care facilities/settings. Inclusion/exclusion criteria: English language, empirical and theoretical publications, as far back as possible, but not older than 1980 as antipsychotics were regularly prescribed in residential care facilities as pharmacological interventions to control BPSD in the 1980s 6 . Our literature search revealed 1,184 publications (n = 1,122 from Medline and n = 62 from Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature).…”

“…first approved and have been used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorders since the 1970s; they are also regularly prescribed in residential care facilities as pharmacological interventions to control BPSD, followed by the prescription of atypical agents in the 1990s 6 . This is so, despite their moderate efficacy, the availability of non-pharmacological alternatives 5 , and serious adverse events (e.g., falls, increased risk of mortality) associated with their use 7,8 .…”