New York Times: Doctors Say Medication Overprescribed For Dementia

The New York Times recently reported that doctors have found the anti-psychotic medications are overprescribed for dementia and alzheimers patients, particularly those who are residents of nursing homes. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/health/24deme.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1214618341-mX42KSg/N0jjqNLeiWyVYw

 

The Times reported that about one-third of all nursing home residents have been prescribed anti-psychotic drugs.  The drugs are often prescribed “off label,” because they have not been FDA approved for use by elders.

 

 

Soft Diets

There have been a number of nursing home residents who have choked and been injured or died as a result of the failure of the nursing home and its staff to follow orders to provide the resident with a soft diet or mechanical soft diet.  These diets are intended for residents who are unable for various reasons to consume certain difficult to chew and swallow foods.  For a more detailed description of soft diets, please see http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtgs35.htm.  Often, the reason that the diet is not followed is that there are insufficient staff or staff who are not adequately trained to meet resident needs.