Psychopharmacological medication use among older adults with dementia in nursing homes

Historically, the use of psychopharmacological medications, such as antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic agents, have been scrutinized due to concerns with safety and efficacy especially in older adults with dementia. Over the past year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched a national initiative to improve the behavioral health of older adults residing in America's nursing homes with a focus on reducing the inappropriate use of these medications to inform the practitioner of the importance of not just evaluating antipsychotic agents but all medications that an older person with dementia may be prescribed. This is critical due to the increased vulnerability of this population to adverse effects coupled with varying degrees of efficacy. Online national resources are also provided.