Disturbing Report of Prescription Drug Abuse in Nursing Homes
The Wall Street Journal published an article last week on the use of antipsychotic drugs to subdue patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in nursing homes. The article points out the challenges faced by nursing homes in caring for these patients. A 1987 federal law limits how and when a patient can be physically or chemically restrained. Also, according to the article, the increase in dementia patients have left staff overburdened. The article focuses on New York state and its efforts to examine how antipsychotic drugs are being used in nursing homes there.
Labels: providers
Posted by: HFA permalink
2 Comments:
Understanding the experience of the person with Alzheimer disease and dementia from other diseases allows caregivers to interact with people with dementia in a manner that doesn't frighten them. The behaviors that are often called aggressive are actually defensive because they are uncertain of the other person's intentions. Please visit www.alzheimercambridge.on.ca to read 'Understanding the Dementia Experience' and 'How to interact with a person with Alzheimer Disease'.
It's indeed very disturbing. My grandma's showing what we suspect early signs of Alzheimer's and we're starting to worry.
____________________________________
karen
Suffering from an addiction. This website has a lot of great resources and treatment centers. http://www.treatmentcenters.org
Post a Comment
<< Home