Anti-Psychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: What You Should Know
Use of psychotropic drugs, also known as anti-psychotic drugs, in nursing homes to manage patients is becoming increasingly problematic. Dr. Kathryn Locatell, a geriatric physician who specializes in forensic investigation of elder abuse, recently assisted in the investigation of the Kern Valley Healthcare District's skilled nursing facility, is concerned that drugs that were intended to treat severe psychotic disorders are now being used on our loved ones in nursing homes to "control" them. Specifically, the drugs Zyprexa, Resperidol, and Seroquel, which are usually used to treat schizophrenia, are NOW being prescribed for nursing home residents to treat behavioral issues. Dr. Locatell said, "Doctors are just giving it out like candy and nurses are administering it without any knowledge of what to look out for. And they're being prescribed for behavioral problems - things like 'resisting care'. It's like they're being drugged to quell the behavior instead of someone investigating why the behaviors are happening and coming up with a more human approach. It really does boil down to what some believe is convenience."
The side effects of three drugs - Zyprexa, Resperidol, and Seroquel - are so severe on the elderly that they carry the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) "black box" warning label. The "black box" label is the FDA's strongest designation for medications that could have life-threatening side effects, such as sudden death in elderly patients. These drugs stay in the elderly body longer and high doses for an extended period of time can cause multiple complications and side effects, such as constipation, risk of falling, and difficulty swallowing, which could lead to dehydration and weight loss.
National statistics show that approximately fifty percent of nursing home residents are on some type of psychotropic medication. Approximately thirty percent of that number are on a type of psychotropic drug. If your loved one is on a psychotropic drug, you should question its use.
Typical Questions to Ask
What medications is my loved one on?
What are you treating with this drug?
How will this drug improve my loved one's condition?
How often will this drug be administered and for how long a period?
What are the side effects? Is my loved one experiencing any side effects?
How will you monitor those side effects?
What other approaches can be used to treat my loved one? Has anything else been considered? Why are drugs the treatment approach?
If you have difficulty in obtaining answers to these simple questions, immediately demand a meeting with the Director of Nursing or the facility pharmacist. In this meeting, ask to review your loved one's care plan.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 or visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
