Dementia patients being ‘over-prescribed drugs’

ELDERLY patients with dementia in long term care are being over-prescribed antipsychotic drugs to compensate for a lack of resources, according to an expert in elderly care.

Dr Shaun O’Keeffe, a consultant in geriatric and general medicine at Merlin Park University Hospital Galway, said over-use of physical restraints is also a problem in many long-stay care homes.

Dr O’Keefe was giving a presentation called Learning the Lessons of Leas Cross at the AGM of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMPO) in Killarney, Co Kerry.