Specialist care reduces dementia drug need

Specialist dementia care can reduce the need for anti-psychotic medication and other drugs and improve the wellbeing of dementia sufferers, according to a study by Four Seasons Health Care. Research carried out in its 16 PEARL specialist dementia care homes found that, on average, 48% fewer anti-psychotic drugs were required by residents. In one home their use was cut by 84%. Furthermore, the usage of medication to alleviate anxiety decreased by 40% and the depression score was reduced in 30% of residents, with the use of anti-depressant drugs dropping by 19%. The only medication consistently to increase in use was for pain relief, which increased 10% on average. Four Seasons concluded, as the use of antipsychotic medication has decreased in these homes, the use of analgesics increased suggesting pain may be under-recognised in dementia care. The reduction in the need for medication corresponded with a rise in the wellbeing among 46% of residents. Of the 480 residents who took part in the two-year study, 42% gained weight in contrast to the expectation that people living with dementia lose weight, and the number of falls was down by a quarter. The findings also reflect Four Seasons 2010 study, which involved 240 service users at eight care homes.