The prescription of psychotropic medication in local authority old people's homes

Abstract 22% of the elderly residents of the 12 local authority homes in one London borough were being prescribed major tranquillisers (neuroleptic) medication. Standard diagnoses of severe dementia and of depression in residents without severe dementia were associated with this prescription as was a report by the Head of Home that the resident wandent wandered and was suspicious. These findings suggested that some non ‐ demented residents who display disturbed behaviour are being prescribed this medication, as well as residents with marked dementia. As these drugs cause many unpleasant side effects, careful assessment of mental state should be carried out before they are prescribed. This survey thus highlights the need for greater input from psychiatric services into local authority homes.