Prevalence of, and Resident and Facility Characteristics Associated With Antipsychotic Use in Assisted Living vs. Long-Term Care Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from Alberta, Canada, by K Stock et al concludes that over a quarter of residents in Assisted Living (26.4%) were using antipsychotics. The proportion of potentially inappropriate use in AL was significantly higher in Assisted Living than in long term care (AL -80.5%; LTC – 70.4%). In both settings, comparable findings regarding associations between resident characteristics (including dementia, psychiatric disorders, frailty, behavioral symptoms, and antidepressant use) and antipsychotic use were observed. Few facility characteristics were associated with overall antipsychotic use, but having a pharmacist on staff (AL), or an affiliated physician (LTC) was associated with a lower likelihood of potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use. Interesting. LeadingAge Kansas members that provide assisted living, residential health care or home plus services are encouraged to identify potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use as a matter of providing the highest quality care and outcomes.
