A recent article explained that the federal government is stepping up efforts to regulate the administration of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes across America. In conjunction, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has also announced a goal of reducing the overall use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes by 15% by the end of the year.

Quite alarmingly, the article suggests that perhaps as many as 17% of all nursing home patients were administered a daily dose of antipsychotic drugs above recommended levels in 2010.

This is leading to a proposed Congressional measure that would require the Department of Health and Human Services to receive express informed consent from either nursing home residents or their legal guardians before nursing homes may administer these drugs.

This is a very encouraging development, as although care for dementia patients is a difficult area to navigate, and research on this matter is constantly changing, over-medicating patients does not seem to solve the problem, and can often lead to more problems than it can conceivably resolve.

You can contact us here 24/7/365 (and we really mean that as we will answer our phone) if you have anyquestions and to learn how we may be able to help you or your loved one who has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect – in particular, you will find that we listen, take your phone calls and e-mails (and even text messages!). We would be honored to help you with your matters – large or small.