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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Keep taking the medicine? Antipsychotics and the over medication of older people : its causes and consequences
— commissioned and edited by Paul Burstow MP and researched and written by Richard Stokoe | | Author(s) | Richard Stokoe, Paul Burstow |
| Corporate Author | House of Commons |
| Publisher | Paul Burstow MP, London, November 2001 |
| Pages | 25 pp |
| Source | Mr Paul Burstow MP, House of Commons, London SW1. www.zyworld.com/paulburstow/ |
| Keywords | Drugs ; Care homes ; Nursing homes. |
| Annotation | The over medication of older people is a form of abuse, that can result in death and denies older people their dignity, as well as jeopardising their health and well-being. Despite the extensive evidence on over medication, poor practice has persisted in the UK, and prescribing of antipsychotic medication continues to rise. Some older people in care homes and other care settings are the victims of a "chemical cosh" used as a management tool. While such practice is not the norm, many older people are being regularly administered a mix of drugs whose interactions are poorly understood by care staff. This report reviews research findings, examines trends in prescribing practice and the causes of over or inappropriate prescribing. Practices in Sweden, Australia and the US are outlined, and alternatives to antipsychotics suggested. Recommendations for change are made with regard to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), the National Service Framework (NSF), and the National Minimum Standards for care homes. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-020121223 B |
| Classmark | LLD: KW: LHB |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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