TRIAL OF AN INTERVENTION TO REDUCE CHRONIC BENZODIAZEPINE USE AMONG RESIDENTS OF AGED-CARE ACCOMMODATION

Background: Many residents of aged-care accommodation are chronic user s of benzodiazepines. This pattern of use contradicts current guidelin es and may adversely affect residents. It was hypothesised that a last ing reduction in benzodiazepine use could be achieved through a progra mme which involved prescribers, residents and caregivers in the change process. Aim: To demonstrate that an intervention which involved educ ation and relaxation training for patients, and education of prescribe rs and caregivers, could reduce levels of chronic benzodiazepine use a mong residents of an aged-care facility. Methods: Two aged-care facili ties from metropolitan Adelaide were chosen; one received the interven tion, the other was a no-intervention comparison. Pre-test, post-test and follow-up interviews were conducted with 60 residents: 27 from the intervention setting and 33 from the comparison setting. Residents at the intervention setting were provided with relaxation skills trainin g, and their medical practitioners and caregivers were provided with i nformation about alternative strategies for managing sleep disturbance . Outcome measures were: the proportion of residents using benzodiazep ines, total medication use, cognitive performance, emotional responsiv eness, subjective health and sleep ratings and an index of well-being. Results: The proportion of participants in the intervention condition who used benzodiazepines declined significantly (from 70% to 35%); th e reduction was maintained over the subsequent three months. No advers e consequences were associated with cessation of benzodiazepine use; t here was improvement in emotional responsiveness among those who cease d benzodiazepine use. This structured intervention strategy is a usefu l approach for reducing levels of chronic benzodiazepine use among res idents of aged-care accommodation.