One statistic with respect to nursing homes stated that nearly 22% of the elderly residents in United States nursing homes regularly receive antipsychotic medications. Such antipsychotic medications are often administered without a proper diagnosis to warrant their use. This article will discuss the overuse of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes and the effect they have on the elderly.

One definition shows that “antipsychotic drugs are a class of medicines used to treat psychosis and other mental and emotional conditions.” An antipsychotic is a psychiatric medication primary used to manage psychosis. Psychosis is a mental condition that includes delusions, hallucinations or disordered thoughts. Antipsychotics are particularly used in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders and are also used in the management of some non-psychotic disorders. The three most commonly prescribed antipsychotics are:

Seroquel

Risperdal

Zyprexa

Generally, it must be noted that mental health problems are very common in nursing homes. As a matter of fact, mental health in the primary reason why many older people are in nursing homes. Without the appropriate medication, these residents might cause harm to themselves, visitors, other residents and caregivers. A number of residents should be on medication for anxiety, depression, bipolar disease, schizophrenia or behavior problems stemming from dementia. However, experts state that other behavioral problems can and should be managed without medication.

It is important to note that nursing home residents can become agitated and difficult for the staff to deal with. Due to nursing home abuse, it is no longer legal to physically restrain a patient who is agitated and difficult, except under rare circumstances. As a result, it is very tempting for nursing staff to use antipsychotics as a chemical restraint to manage a troublesome resident. As a result, the drug is not used for the purpose of treating medical symptoms but rather to make the patient easier to manage. In accordance with the statistics shown above, while Medicare and Medicaid programs forbid the use of chemical restraints, antipsychotic medications continue to be used as a substitute for good individualized care.
A census carried out among nursing home residents shows that “the average person is taking 10 different medications, many of which could interact poorly with antipsychotics. In addition, the use of such medications may sedate residents to the point where they become listless and unresponsive, more confused or more likely to fall. The usage of antipsychotics is also linked to medical conditions such as respiratory infections and strokes.”

In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued 'Black Box' warnings for antipsychotics, stating that “individuals diagnosed with dementia are at an increased risk of death from their use”. It noted that there is a 60 to 70% chance of death from the use of antipsychotics in individuals diagnosed with dementia. As such, physicians are required to discuss the associated risks with their patients or their guardians before prescribing antipsychotics.

The laws regulating prescription of antipsychotic medications to agitated nursing home residents can be complicated. In addition, the facts in each case and the laws of each state are unique. Therefore, to get legal advice and representation with respect to nursing home abuse by use of antipsychotics, contact a nursing home attorney. With respect to personal injury or accidents, contacts an accident attorney in Wasilla.

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Crowson Law Group is a law firm of renowned professionals who focus on personal injury matters. For a free case evaluation regarding nursing home abuse and negligence, contact a Wasilla personal injury lawyer.