Alzheimer's Society

The Alzheimer's Society is concerned that antipsychotic drugs are being inappropriately over-prescribed to people with dementia. There is particular concern about their use in care homes.

Research suggests that people in care homes are prescribed up to four times as many drugs as an older person in their own home.

A carer contacted the Society to describe her father's experience:

'Initially, he was put on medication by his GP and the hospital consultant. Each time, I questioned his change of state be it zombie-like, lethargic, shaky etc. Eventually, I brought him to live with me, took him off all medication and he was his old self, as much as he could be in the circumstances. I was told my father needed medication because he got up in the night. In other words, instead of giving him a cup of tea and a reassuring chat, he was seen as a nuisance, impinging on their socialising.'

These drugs can eliminate or reduce the intensity of psychotic experiences such as delusions and hallucinations, and they have a calming effect. However, they should be avoided unless they are really necessary.

Antipsychotics are often used to 'control' behaviour that people find difficult to deal with, including aggressive behaviour or 'wandering'. Drugs are sometimes prescribed instead of attempting to understand or investigate the cause of behaviour - for example, distress, feelings of humiliation or fear.

These drugs can have undesirable side-effects. They may mask an underlying problem or even worsen the symptoms of dementia. The sedative effect of the drugs means that their use is sometimes prescribed primarily for the carer's or other residents' benefit, rather than for the benefit of the person with dementia.

A person-centred approach to care can reduce the need for these drugs.

The Alzheimer's Society is campaigning against the overuse of anti-psychotic drug treatments as part of its putting care right campaign.

The Society campaigns for:

• Mandatory dementia care training for all staff in care homes to enable them to support people with dementia and their carers
• Better medical supervision and regular reviews for people with dementia, particularly those living in care homes
• Carers to be consulted over the use of medication; if treatment is prescribed, there should be a family conference where risks are explained.