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14 May 2008

Regulate anti psychotic drugs now

Help the Aged have today backed an MPs bid to regulate the prescription of anti-psychotic drugs for people with dementia in care homes.  

Lizzie McLennan, Policy Officer at Help the Aged said: 
"Help the Aged supports David Taylor's bid to regulate the prescription of anti-psychotic drugs for people with dementia in care homes 
 
"With approx 700,000 people living with dementia in the UK, and a large number of people with this illness cared for in general care homes, it's vital that all care home residents should have access to GPs who can diagnose dementia. 
"All care homes should have a recognised expert on dementia working in the homes, and drug therapies should be closely monitored for continued effectiveness during the development of the condition. 
"More than a million people are expected to have dementia by 2025. Help the Aged believe it is vital that staff in all care homes are equipped with the necessary skills to care effectively for people with dementia.
 
"General care staff and nurses need to have more detailed knowledge of dementia, along with its symptoms and the effect it has on individual behaviour."

Notes for editor:

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit www.helptheaged.org.uk or call 0207 239 1982.