This guide is part of CANHR’s Campaign to Stop Chemical Restraints in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Ending the misuse of psychoactive drugs is one of CANHR’s top priorities because over drugging is a leading cause of misery, neglect and death for residents who suffer from dementia. It is possible to stop a loved one from being drugged by a nursing home. This Guide gives you important facts about psychoactive drugs and advice on how to stop their inappropriate use.

Residents of long-term care facilities are increasingly being placed on antipsychotic medications despite having no proper diagnosis to warrant their use. Antipsychotics are especially dangerous when prescribed to elderly individuals and have been linked to numerous resident deaths in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Nonpharmacological, psychosocial approaches are first-line treatments for managing behavioral symptoms in dementia, but they can be challenging to implement in long-term care settings. The Veterans Health Administration implemented STAR-VA, an interdisciplinary behavioral approach for managing challenging dementia-related behaviors in its Community Living Center (CLCs, nursing home care) settings.

The Eldercare Method is a systematic process of behavioral health consultation designed for use within long term care settings. It is based upon a clinical model of geriatric behavioral health care developed by a psychologist, Kelly O’Shea Carney, PhD, CMC. The Eldercare Method, which is intended to provide services that extend beyond traditional behavioral health services, is predicated upon the logic of offering “wrap around” care to elders within long term care.

This white paper presents information, observations, recommendations and additional analyses of peer-reviewed literature about non-pharmacological treatments and care practices for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

This video was developed by OFMQ to share with health care providers, residents and families “A Champion for Change” which supports a national and state initiative to reduce unnecessary antipsychotic medication.

This resource was developed by Positive Approach to Care to enhance life and relationships of those living with brain change by fostering an inclusive global community.

This tool was developed by Dementia Action Alliance, a non-profit national advocacy and education organization of people living with dementia, care partners, friends and dementia specialists committed to creating a better country in which to live with dementia.

This tool was developed by CaringKind, The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving with the assistance of Comfort Matters®, to help health care providers as they implement dementia-capable palliative care.

This resource was developed by American Psychiatric Association to provide health care providers guidelines on how to improve the care of patients with dementia who are exhibiting agitation or psychosis as well as the judicious use of antipsychotic medications when agitation or psychosis occurs in association with dementia.