Excerpt from: Care Home (click for full article)
Data from 16 homes on the programme was analysed and revealed a 48 per cent drop in use of antipsychotic medication plus a reduction in use of a range of other medications. There was also a corresponding improvement in the well-being of care home residents.
The analysis revealed that medication to alleviate anxiety fell by 40 per cent, the depression score fell in 30 per cent of residents while use of anti-depressant medication reduced by 19 per cent. Requirement for medication to induce sleep fell by 44 per cent.
A corresponding increase in well-being was measured among 46 per cent of residents. While 42 per cent gained weight, against the expectation that people living with dementia would lose weight.
This is the second study of the outcomes from Four Seasons’ specialised dementia units and it supports the findings of its initial study at eight other homes in 2010.
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