The 8th World Alzheimer's Day Lecture

Use and abuse: sedatives for people with dementia in care homes

A lecture organised by Alzheimer Scotland to mark World Alzheimer’s Day, which falls on 21 September each year.

There has been much controversy about the use of tranquillising medication for people with dementia in care homes. Press headlines include:

• Warning on drugs for Alzheimer's patients in nursing homes
• Alzheimer pills 'can do harm'
• 'Deadly danger' of drugs used to calm dementia patients
• Call to stop misuse of drugs for Alzheimer's patients

Professor Ballard spoke about his research on the subject, and about best practice for the treatment of people with dementia living in care homes.

Conclusions

• Atypical antipsychotics have short term efficacy for the treatment of aggression, but have considerable adverse effects
• There are several candidate alternative pharmacological therapies, but better evidence is urgently needed
• Aromatherapy with melissa or lavender are evidence based alternatives
• Psychological therapies are a safe alternative, with emerging evidence of efficacy