The Government’s independent clinical review has highlighted the unnecessary and overuse of antipsychotic drugs to suppress the challenging behaviour of people with dementia in care homes – brought about by environmental anxiety and distress.  An implication to draw from this can be that, under-funded care homes are resorting to the ‘chemical cosh’, for the control and passification of residents by ever fewer trained staff – and by, perhaps expedient, owners feeling that  they may be mitigating risk.

Do such drastic measures of suppression point to the need for a fundamental change of attitudes to care delivery: namely that the purpose of care is about looking after people – not control and guardianship!  When ‘challenging’ behaviour can be triggered by very simple things like a desire to move around, to visit one’s own room or to walk in the garden, outcomes can be so much better if people are allowed and facilitated to do what they want to do and are capable of doing.

This all comes when existing guidelines from The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) state that antipsychotic drugs should only be used for three months – when a person is a risk to themselves or others and when all other methods have been tried.

Which best interests are being served

Perhaps, the whole issue of resident’s medication should be the starting point when considering care home entry.  How does the home prescribe?  How often are prescriptions reviewed?  Is mobility encouraged and are activity reports provided?  In essence, the questioning should amount to establishing just which best interests are being served in the delivery of care – owner, operational effectiveness or resident?

Is the Government’s report truly representative and what experiences do our subscribers and site visitors have in respect of loved ones in care homes?  Have you actually found medications being over subscribed?

Indifference and resignation will not change the ‘cosh’ culture.  We urge you to contribute your feelings, observations and suggestions on this Forum  now.  Obviously, the moderator will not allow any ‘named’ complaints, which might be of libelous contention.