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According to the researchers, many people with dementia in senior care facilities are taking antipsychotics for more than 200 days, more than twice the maximum recommended duration.
The Macquarie University study found that nearly 38% of Australian elderly dementia residents were taking antipsychotics, an estimate that is similar to that of the rest of the world.
The researchers said that antipsychotics were often used longer than recommended, but current guidelines and restrictions may be insufficient to limit the use of the drug.
"Our research shows that people with dementia take antipsychotics for about twice as long as the maximum recommended time to treat the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia," said lead author Kimberly Lind.
Research has shown that 65% of older people treated with antipsychotics have continued to take this medication for longer than the recommended maximum of 12 weeks.
The average duration was 216 days (30.9 weeks) for men and 212 days (30.3 weeks) for women, according to the Australian Institute of Innovation study in Australia. health topic of the university.
The Council on Aging has called for measures to combat the excessive consumption of antipsychotics, claiming that the study had revealed that one in three elderly, demented, was "chemically stressed."
"This appalling use of chemical restraints is a form of elder abuse and a violation of both quality standards of care for the elderly and professional medical ethics," COTA's chief executive said Wednesday. Australia, Ian Yates.
"It is time for the health and senior care sectors to take note of the results of this study and seek a solution that does not involve unnecessarily drugging our elderly Australians to facilitate their work."
Dr. Lind said senior care facilities should be encouraged to use methods other than drugs to treat people with dementia, coupled with effective drug management.
"Maximizing the use of information contained in electronic health records would help health care providers monitor medication use patterns to ensure patients do not take their medications more." long as recommended and are at risk of stroke, "she said.
The study examined the health and medication registers of 5800 elderly residents with dementia in NSW and ACT, noting that most antipsychotics were taking medication when they entered the hospital. 39; establishment.
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