Family members of those with dementia and Alzheimer's have pushed for years to have legislators strengthen laws around informed consent of anti-psychotic drugs for patients in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, arguing the drugs have unwanted side effects in dementia patients, including seizures.
The drugs are overprescribed, often without a family's consent, as a way for nursing care staff to quell unwanted behavior among patients, they say.
Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts spokeswoman Betsy Campbell said the organization has been watching the use of these medications for years, and advocating for families to be informed when they are prescribed.
Banker White, whose mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease at 61, said having discussions with his mother's doctor about her medication made all the difference. His mother, who lives in Dedham and is cared for by his father, was prescribed Risperadone, a psychotropic drug that was used to control violent episodes. White would like to see informed written consent be required.
"There needs to be a real understanding of why they are being used; how they are being used, and there is a game plan in place," he said.
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Measure calls for elder-care facilities to obtain consent for psychotropic prescriptions