‘One-in 10 nursing home residents given wrong drugs’

ONE in every 10 nursing home residents are being given “inappropriate medication” to deal with their dementia, it was claimed yesterday.

“The chemical management of older people is a scandal. It denies older people dignity and robs them of a better quality of life,” said chief executive of the Alzheimer Society, Maurice O’Connell.

Mr O’Connell spoke yesterday, ahead of today’s international day to recognise elder abuse. He said medication is being used inappropriately to deal with issues such as wandering, poor self care, restlessness, impaired memory, depression without psychosis, un-cooperativeness and agitation that is not dangerous.