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, created by IPRO HQIC, was developed for hospitals to offer an integrated approach using quality and patient safety best practices to improve care and prevent adverse events that could:

This fact sheet was developed by The Consumer Voice to help health care providers develop a care plan that provides service and activities to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident.