The state Legislature’s Elder Affair’s Committee holds a hearing Tuesday to discuss the use of anti-psychotic drugs in nursing homes. It is at 10:30 a.m. in Room B-2 at the State House.“An Act Relative to Psychotropic Medications,” (S. 303) would require long term care facilities in Massachusetts to obtain written consent before administering a psychotropic medication to a resident. Caregivers with the health workers union, 1199SEIU, will testify.
Caregivers will share their experiences with residents with dementia and advocate for alternative treatments to anti-psychotic drugs. The alternatives include person-centered care, consistent assignments and adequate staffing levels. The health care union leadership will explain how it believes the legislation would reduce the rates of anti-psychotic drug administration in elder care facilities.
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CA Elder Affairs Committee Holds Hearing Regarding Anti-Psychotic Drugs In Nursing Homes
From my work-in-progress ..."In addition to FDA "Black Box" warnings, an FDA associate director testified before Congress that the FDA estimated that 15,000 elderly nursing home patients are being killed in nursing homes annually with prescribed antipsychotic drugs... and estates are often stolen while antipsychotics are prescribed." This hearing is important!
ReplyDeleteThis is a an important subject and I am glad to see a hearing, but I'd rather see action!
ReplyDeleteThe hearings are an important part of the process, Stand Up.
ReplyDelete