Dementia care controversy over antipsychotic drug use

The use of antipsychotic medications to manage agitation in dementia patients has become a major point of contention in long-term care. In Michigan, the family of Marjorie Tingley faced a dispute with the Vista Grande Villa senior living community after resisting requests to sedate their 85-year-old mother due to her aggressive behavior toward aides.

Following the disagreement, Tingley was repeatedly taken to the emergency room and eventually received a 30-day eviction notice from the facility. She passed away less than two weeks after moving to a new facility.

The FDA requires warnings that these potent drugs can increase the risk of death in older patients with Alzheimer’s or similar diseases. Despite federal efforts to reduce psychotropic use, a JAMA study estimated that 1 in 4 Medicare beneficiaries with dementia may be inappropriately prescribed antipsychotics, which can lead to delirium, falls, and hospitalizations.