This fourth installment in the series of webinars initiated by the Geriatric Mental Health Partnership (GMHP)--an informal, voluntary group of diverse stakeholders which focuses on geriatric mental/ behavioral health care in the Commonwealth--aims to improve communication and service coordination between the mental/behavioral health and long term care systems to facilitate timely care for older adults in the most appropriate setting. 

Off-label antipsychotic prescribing in nursing homes (NHs) is common and is associated with increased risk of mortality in older adults. Prior large-scale, controlled trials in the NH setting failed to show meaningful reductions in antipsychotic use.This quasi-experimental longitudinal study of the OASIS communication training program examined antipsychotic use before and after intervention training in 93 nursing homes.

The report “Dementia: a public health priority” has been jointly developed by WHO and Alzheimer's Disease International. The purpose of this report is to raise awareness of dementia as a public health priority, to articulate a public health approach and to advocate for action at international and national levels.

Antipsychotic medications are commonly used to manage the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Several large studies have demonstrated an association between treatment with antipsychotics and increased morbidity and mortality in people with dementia.

Antipsychotics medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These medications are commonly divided into two classes, reflecting two waves of historical development: the conventional antipsychotics and the atypical. The conventional antipsychotics served as the first successful pharmacologic treatment for primary psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

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.