Anti-psychotic Drug Use and Staying in Place

We were recently contacted by a former client regarding a frightening event that took place at the assisted living facility they moved their mom into("mom" is our former patient/client, whom we will refer to as Mrs. V) after determining that Mrs. V would do better in a dementia facility. 

When in our charge Mrs. V was experiencing exaggerated symptoms of dementia, including anger and confusion. Our caregiver addressed these behaviors by soothing Mrs. V and providing her with tasks, games, music and activities that focused Mrs. V's attention and brought purpose to the moment. 

 Since moving into the facility that personalized approach is no longer an option because of staffing ratios and the less talked about need for the facility to always err on the side of caution in the name of protecting their insurance premiums and licensure. 

The result was, in the case of Mrs. V, the decision to drug and restrain her when she acted out. Bear in mind that we are talking about an 82 year old woman, weighing in at 104 lbs. Drugged to a catatonic state, physically restrained, and handcuffed by the policemen that were called because the facility is "risk averse". 

 Two things happened here that are troubling. One, a frightened, dementia addled 105 lb woman was drugged and handcuffed in her new "home" (that costs $9,000/mo.). Two, the facility failed to call Mrs. V's very loving and involved children that live within a mile of the facility, before calling the police. 

Mrs. V was not armed nor capable of visiting harm to anyone but herself. Her family has said they will rush over for any reason at all when Mrs. V needs help. But in a facility, where staff turnover typically high, that sort of personalized care and attention is impossible. 

A major and impactful benefit to hiring a caregiver from a trusted home care agency is the fact that the use of psychotropic or anti-psychotic drugs is far less prevalent in the home setting as compared to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

We also know our clients and their families personally and strictly adhere to their requests and preferences, such as calling them when their loved-one is in need. We never call the police to deal with our clientele. We know that our clients need care, comfort, emotional support and love. There is nothing the police can solve and our clients, not our insurance bills,  are our first priority.  

In fact, at Home Care Of La Jolla we strive to reduce the use of all medications by closely managing medications and supplementing non-drug therapies, with the MD's input, wherever possible. 

Drugs are not the answer to all problems, regardless of age. We would no sooner give a drug to our elderly clientele than we would our young children. Pushing someone to a state of total drug-induced incoherence is an inhumane non-solution and a waste of money. Our medical community can and must do better.