Factors associated with antidepressant treatment in residential care: changes between 1990 and 1997

Abstract

Increased use of antidepressants appears to be due to the wider range of antidepressant drugs available since 1990. However there is a need for better methods for care staff to detect depression in residents, and for appropriate action to be taken by those responsible for their medical management.

Not less but different: psychotropic drug utilization trends in Norwegian nursing homes during a 12-year period. The Bergen District Nursing Home (BEDNURS) Study

“…This is in line with other studies (24,25), and indicates increasing awareness of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations when treating older people in general, but probably also stimulated by intensive marketing of new drugs by the pharmaceutical industry. …”

Factors associated with antipsychotic drug use in residential care: changes between 1990 and 1997

“…Another possibility is that there was more appropriate/effective prescribing of psychotropic drugs, and greater use of nonpharmacological strategies to manage disturbed behaviour over this period. Some improvement in the use of antidepressant medication in this population between 1990 and 1997 has also been reported (Arthur et al, 2002). Any improvement in the management of disturbed behaviour in residential care settings may have been one effect of the development of comprehensive old age psychiatry services that occurred in this district between 1990 and 1997.…”

“…The methodology of the Leicestershire censuses of long term care is described in detail elsewhere (Campbell-Stern et al, 1993;Arthur et al, 2002). The study population consisted of all those aged 65 years and over resident at midnight on two census nights (27 November 1990 and30 November 1997) in any type of ward, hospital, home or hostel provided by the NHS, Local Authority social services, private and voluntary agencies in Leicestershire.…”

What is meaningful activity for people with dementia living in care homes? A comparison of the views of older people with dementia, staff and family carers

“…It is common for those in care to be depressed (Arthur, Mathews, Jagger, & Lindesay, 2002), which relates to psychosocial needs being neglected (College of Occupational Therapists, 1998;Hancock et al, 2006). Since the mid 1980s, however, interventions such as recreation, cognitive stimulation, music, reminiscence and physical exercise have become accepted as good practice (National Institute for Clinical Excellence, 2006;Perrin & May, 2000;Lawton & Rubenstein, 2000;R.T.…”