AARP Oklahoma and Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter support Senate Bill 142 to improve Oklahoma’s overuse of antipsychotic medication in nursing homes

AARP Oklahoma and The Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter today announced support for Senate Bill 142. SB 142, introduced by Senator Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma City) and Representative Tammy West (R-Bethany), will require a nursing home resident to have a psychiatric diagnosis prior to the prescription of antipsychotic medications.

Oklahoma ranks first in the nation for nursing home resident use of antipsychotic medications without a psychiatric diagnosis, according to an August 2018 AARP report. One in five nursing home residents currently receives an antipsychotic medication without a proper diagnosis. According to research from International Psychogeriatrics ¹, the failure to properly diagnosis the underlying condition prior to the use of antipsychotic medications can severely impact residents' health, including increased risk of falls, cardiovascular issues, accelerated cognitive decline and even premature death.

“We have a moral imperative to provide quality care to our state’s elderly population, but far too often nursing home residents without an appropriate diagnosis are subjected to strong medications with significant side effects. Without immediate reforms, our state’s most frail and vulnerable will continue to fall victim to this crisis,” stated Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma State Director.

The Oklahoma Chapter, Alzheimer's Association Director of Advocacy, Randle Lee stated, "Our association is pleased to work with AARP on this legislation. Over the past three years, we participated in studies regarding the usage of these types of drugs, and the results lead us to believe such legislation is necessary. The unnecessary prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to residents with dementia can cause over-sedation, falls and death. Many times, these drugs are used in agitation cases with dementia patients when better training of staff could more appropriately address the situation."

SB 142 is one component of AARP Oklahoma’s Long-term CARE (Creating Accountability, Reform and Excellence) Plan. The CARE Plan is a series of legislation that seeks to improve resident safety and improve access to home and community-based services. SB 142 will first be heard in the Oklahoma Senate. Oklahomans are encouraged to call their state senator at 1-844-248-8227 and ask them to vote yes on SB 142 and support the AARP Long-term CARE Plan.

 

¹ Zuidema, S. U., Johansson, A., Selbaek, G., Murray, M., Burns, A., Ballard, C., & Koopmans, R. T. (2015). A consensus guideline for antipsychotic drug use for dementia in care homes. Bridging the gap between scientific evidence and clinical practice. International Psychogeriatrics, 27(11), 1849-59.