Caring for the aging is not an easy job. Those who can no longer care for themselves are experiencing a myriad of emotions, setbacks, illnesses, and other challenges. Not to mention conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s that have common presentations of anger, aggression, and depression. As a result, long-term care residents can experience high levels of anxiety and depression, and also keenly feel their loss of independence and pride as they now depend on others for basic needs. This, understandably, can be reflected in the way they treat staff, as well as their actions and attitude. However, none of this justifies the common use of antipsychotic drugs to control behavior. In recent years, more attention has been directed to the overuse and abusive nature of using antipsychotics in long-term care. Below are guidelines to help you protect yourself and loved ones.
What is an Antipsychotic Drug?
Antipsychotics are incredibly useful drugs for anyone suffering from diagnosed psychosis as a result of bipolar disorder, depression, and Alzheimer’s. Common antipsychotics include Risperidone, Clozapine, Haloperidol, and others. These drugs alter the signals of neurotransmitters like dopamine, acetylcholine, histamine, and norepinephrineto.
While useful in specific scenarios and for certain diagnoses, antipsychotics have some harsh side effects that make them dangerous to use if not absolutely necessary. Which is why it’s important to understand why they are being prescribed and ask questions to ensure they are needed.
PC: Jiri Suchy via Unsplash
Why Would Using Antipsychotics be Considered Abuse?
A few years ago, we reported on the overuse of antipsychotics. This phenomenon was connected to the inappropriate use of a loophole within the system. Essentially, medical professionals were adding the diagnosis of schizophrenia to patients’ charts to justify the use of antipsychotics even though the true issue was simply combative behavior and frustration.
In this way, doctors and long-term care staff were using (and abusing) antipsychotics as chemical restraints. Patients who had no real medical reason for taking antipsychotics were unnecessarily subjected to the effects and side effects of these powerful drugs. Often, patients and their families were not aware these drugs were prescribed and did not feel empowered to fight back against the diagnosis and prescription.
Your Rights as a Long-Term Care Resident
To avoid falling victim to unnecessary antipsychotic use, we suggest understanding your rights as a long-term care resident. We also believe it is important for family members and other advocates to understand rights and know what questions to ask caregivers before medications are prescribed.
Resident Rights & Antipsychotic Alternatives
All long-term care residents have a right to the “highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being” which includes the right to a life free from abuse and chemical restraints. Staff often encounter what is called “difficult” behavior from residents. And while antipsychotics may seem a good solution, there are other ways to handle and address this issue. Residents have a right to good care that prioritizes your well-being.
As a result, long-term care facilities must:
Identify and address triggers for the resident, including delirium, pain, and environmental factors (e.g., room is too cold or too loud).
Provide individualized interventions for residents with dementia to address the causes of their distress.
Offer residents with dementia an ongoing activities program, customized and based on their interests and hobbies to avoid boredom.
Conduct monthly prescription review and report any questionable or unnecessary drugs to the attending Physician.
Facilities also must clearly communicate all information surrounding all medications. They must conduct meetings at times convenient to the resident, provide information in understandable terms, inform the resident of all risks, side effects, and alternatives for medications, and obtain informed consent.
Remember, you have the right to person-centered care, respect and dignity, voice grievances, discontinue drugs, and more.
PC: Wade Austin Ellis via Unsplash
Protect Yourself and Loved Ones
The bottom line is that you should not be forced, tricked, or manipulated into taking any medications you do not want to take. Your rights, as a resident, outline that you have every right to know what medications you’re taking and their side effects, as well as the right to refuse medications.
Quality care demands that medications be appropriate, necessary, and taken with informed consent. Doctors and long-term care staff do not have the right to chemically restrain patients because they are “being difficult”.
Protect yourself and loved ones by knowing the facts, asking lots of questions, and understanding your rights.
If you or a loved one have been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-798-8606) for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.
Learn more about antipsychotic use in nursing homes:
Protect Yourself and Loved Ones: Antipsychotic Abuse in Long-Term Care
Caring for the aging is not an easy job. Those who can no longer care for themselves are experiencing a myriad of emotions, setbacks, illnesses, and other challenges. Not to mention conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s that have common presentations of anger, aggression, and depression. As a result, long-term care residents can experience high levels of anxiety and depression, and also keenly feel their loss of independence and pride as they now depend on others for basic needs. This, understandably, can be reflected in the way they treat staff, as well as their actions and attitude. However, none of this justifies the common use of antipsychotic drugs to control behavior. In recent years, more attention has been directed to the overuse and abusive nature of using antipsychotics in long-term care. Below are guidelines to help you protect yourself and loved ones.
What is an Antipsychotic Drug?
Antipsychotics are incredibly useful drugs for anyone suffering from diagnosed psychosis as a result of bipolar disorder, depression, and Alzheimer’s. Common antipsychotics include Risperidone, Clozapine, Haloperidol, and others. These drugs alter the signals of neurotransmitters like dopamine, acetylcholine, histamine, and norepinephrineto.
While useful in specific scenarios and for certain diagnoses, antipsychotics have some harsh side effects that make them dangerous to use if not absolutely necessary. Which is why it’s important to understand why they are being prescribed and ask questions to ensure they are needed.
Why Would Using Antipsychotics be Considered Abuse?
A few years ago, we reported on the overuse of antipsychotics. This phenomenon was connected to the inappropriate use of a loophole within the system. Essentially, medical professionals were adding the diagnosis of schizophrenia to patients’ charts to justify the use of antipsychotics even though the true issue was simply combative behavior and frustration.
In this way, doctors and long-term care staff were using (and abusing) antipsychotics as chemical restraints. Patients who had no real medical reason for taking antipsychotics were unnecessarily subjected to the effects and side effects of these powerful drugs. Often, patients and their families were not aware these drugs were prescribed and did not feel empowered to fight back against the diagnosis and prescription.
Your Rights as a Long-Term Care Resident
To avoid falling victim to unnecessary antipsychotic use, we suggest understanding your rights as a long-term care resident. We also believe it is important for family members and other advocates to understand rights and know what questions to ask caregivers before medications are prescribed.
Resident Rights & Antipsychotic Alternatives
All long-term care residents have a right to the “highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being” which includes the right to a life free from abuse and chemical restraints. Staff often encounter what is called “difficult” behavior from residents. And while antipsychotics may seem a good solution, there are other ways to handle and address this issue. Residents have a right to good care that prioritizes your well-being.
As a result, long-term care facilities must:
(Sourced From The National Consumer Voice for Long-Term Care)
Facilities also must clearly communicate all information surrounding all medications. They must conduct meetings at times convenient to the resident, provide information in understandable terms, inform the resident of all risks, side effects, and alternatives for medications, and obtain informed consent.
Remember, you have the right to person-centered care, respect and dignity, voice grievances, discontinue drugs, and more.
Protect Yourself and Loved Ones
The bottom line is that you should not be forced, tricked, or manipulated into taking any medications you do not want to take. Your rights, as a resident, outline that you have every right to know what medications you’re taking and their side effects, as well as the right to refuse medications.
Quality care demands that medications be appropriate, necessary, and taken with informed consent. Doctors and long-term care staff do not have the right to chemically restrain patients because they are “being difficult”.
Protect yourself and loved ones by knowing the facts, asking lots of questions, and understanding your rights.
If you or a loved one have been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-798-8606) for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.
Learn more about antipsychotic use in nursing homes:
News: CMS Investigates Schizophrenia Diagnoses & Antipsychotics
Hidden Abuse: Antipsychotics & Elders