BMJ  2006;332 (1 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7544.0-a

Psychosocial care in nursing homes reduces drug use

Training and support for nursing home staff in psychosocial care reduces the need for neuroleptics among nursing home residents with severe dementia. In a study of 12 UK nursing homes, Fossey and colleagues (p 756) randomised half to a 10 month training and support intervention for staff that focused on alternatives to drugs for managing agitated behaviour by demented residents. At 12 months the proportion of residents taking neuroleptics in the intervention homes was 19% lower than in the control homes without worsening behavioural symptoms.

Credit: HENNY ALLISS/SPL

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