Premium
The prescription of psychotropic medication in local authority old people's homes
Author(s) -
Mann A. H.,
Graham N.,
Ashby D.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.930010105
Subject(s) - dementia , medical prescription , borough , local authority , medicine , psychiatry , psychotropic medication , depression (economics) , health authority , mental health , family medicine , nursing , disease , public administration , pathology , political science , economics , macroeconomics
22% of the elderly residents of the 12 local authority homes in one London borough were being prescribed major tranquillisers (neuroleptic) medication. Standard diagnoses of severe dementia and of depression in residents without severe dementia were associated with this prescription as was a report by the Head of Home that the resident wandent wandered and was suspicious. These findings suggested that some non ‐ demented residents who display disturbed behaviour are being prescribed this medication, as well as residents with marked dementia. As these drugs cause many unpleasant side effects, careful assessment of mental state should be carried out before they are prescribed. This survey thus highlights the need for greater input from psychiatric services into local authority homes.