Potential Side Effects and Adverse Events of Antipsychotic Use for Residents With Dementia in Assisted Living: Implications for Prescribers, Staff, and Families.

Potential Side Effects and Adverse Events of Antipsychotic Use for Residents With Dementia in Assisted Living: Implications for Prescribers, Staff, and Families.

Beeber AS; Zimmerman S; Wretman CJ; Palmertree S; Patel K; Sloane PD

Journal Of Applied Gerontology : The Official Journal Of The Southern Gerontological Society

2021

2021-06-23

Antipsychotic medications are frequently prescribed to assisted living (AL) residents who have dementia, although there is a lack of information about the potential side effects and adverse events of these medications among this population. Oversight and monitoring by family members is an important component of AL care, and it is important to understand family awareness of antipsychotic use and reports of potential side effects and adverse events. This cross-sectional, descriptive study of family members of 283 residents with dementia receiving antipsychotic medications in 91 AL communities found high rates (93%) of symptoms that could be potential side effects and a 6% rate of potential adverse events. The majority of families were aware their relative was taking an antipsychotic. Findings suggest that obtaining family perspectives of potential side effects and adverse events related to medication use may contribute to overall improvement in the safety of AL residents living with dementia.

dementia; Alzheimer's disease; family; SYMPTOMS; medication; Alzheimer’s disease; assisted living; ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE; BENEFITS; CARE; INVOLVEMENT; MEDICATIONS; MORTALITY; NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS; PREVALENCE; RISK

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

journalArticle

7334648211023678

1552-4523 0733-4648

NEOMED College of Medicine Student

NEOMED Student Publications

July 2021 List