MEDICATION USE IN NURSING-HOMES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

Residents of nursing and residential homes are often prescribed medica tion for physical and mental ill-health with resultant polypharmacy an d the possibility of iatrogenic disorders. Sometimes drugs are prescri bed inappropriately and a number of studies have highlighted the overu se of psychotropic drugs. Legislation in the USA has been effective in controlling their use in that neuroleptic prescriptions for the treat ment of behavioural disturbances have been significantly reduced and n on-pharmacological strategies aimed at ameliorating behavioural distur bance have been proposed. Studies suggest that pharmacists have a role to play iii the appropriate management of medicines in elderly reside nts; they can improve patient care and be cost-effective. Identificati on of methods by which to improve awareness of inappropriate medicatio n prescription and to avoid certain types of drugs is required. This r eview critically evaluates medication use in this population with spec ific reference to psychotropics and aims to raise awareness of the iss ue. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.