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This past Saturday, the New York Times published an article detailing the disturbing rise of residents with schizophrenia diagnoses in nursing homes and an accompanying rise in the use of antipsychotic medication. The report found that “The government and the [nursing home] industry are obscuring the true rate of antipsychotic drug use on vulnerable residents.” An analysis of Medicare data found:
- A 70% increase in the number of residents with a schizophrenia diagnosis since 2012.
- 1 in 9 nursing home residents have received a schizophrenia diagnosis. The rate in the general population is 1 in 150.
- 21% of nursing home residents are being medicated with antipsychotic drugs.
- Antipsychotic drug use increased during the pandemic.
Although the federal government tracks antipsychotic drugging in nursing homes and posts it on Medicare Care Compare, residents with schizophrenia diagnoses are not included. As a result, a facility's illegal use of antipsychotics is hidden by falsely diagnosing residents with schizophrenia.
Too many residents, particularly those living with dementia, are being given off-label antipsychotic drugs to control their behavior instead of quality care. These drugs can have serious, life threatening side effects for older people and are not approved for the treatment of dementia.
The New York Times article demonstrates that the use of antipsychotic medications to supplant quality continues to be widespread in nursing homes. Below you will find more information and resources on avoiding drugs to restrain nursing home residents.
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