‘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.

A recent study by three doctors in the west of Ireland showed that residents in nursing homes were at higher risk of “inappropriate medication” than those who live at home.

Mr O’Connell called on the Department of Health to launch an awareness campaign alerting healthcare professionals to the risks and effects of such practices.

The Irish Nursing Homes Organisation (INHO) defended nurses, saying nursing home employees can only administer drugs which are prescribed by doctors.