AMDA’s program targets antipsychotic drug use for dementia

AMDA–Dedicated to Long Term Care Medicine (AMDA) is offering a set of free courses designed to help nursing home staff reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs for residents with dementia.

The program, developed through a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, currently contains two courses, one designed for prescribers and one for non-prescribers. Both focus on clinical practice guidelines for today’s person-centered methods of care for those with dementia, especially non-pharmaceutical alternatives to antipsychotic drug treatments.

“Behavioral problems often can be prevented by an adequate program of activities and opportunities for social engagement and mental stimulation,” noted Principle Investigator Ladislav Volicer, MD, PhD, in a press release. “Practitioners and interdisciplinary team members can work together to develop and implement an individualized person-centered care plan that considers each resident’s particular needs, interests, diagnoses and comorbidities. But they need to be on the same page to do this effectively. These courses will facilitate that.”

AMDA plans to follow up with participants to gauge the retention and impact of the course material.

Read more about AMDA’s training program.

Pamela Tabar

Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master’s degree in English from the University of York, England.