Antipsychotic Medication and Health Care Proxies

A response to the Boston Globe Article: Nursing Home Drug Use Puts Many at Risk

An article in today’s Boston Globe reports that Massachusetts nursing homes use more antipsychotic drugs than nursing homes in most other states. Antipsychotic drugs were originally created for use with mental illness, but in recent years they have also been used to treat Dementia and Alzheimer’s. The Globe reports that while in some cases such treatment is helpful, in other cases it can worsen symptoms or be dangerous to a patient's health. For the full Globe article follow this link: http://bit.ly/crfcaZ


I routinely recommend that clients add a clause in their health care proxy* allowing the named health care agent to approve the use of antipsychotic medications. Today’s Globe article gave me pause, and I have seriously considered the soundness of my advice. However, after some thought I still believe it is appropriate and necessary to give your health care agent the power to approve administration of antipsychotic medications. Among other things, my job is to make life as simple as possible for my clients and their caregivers, and treatment with antipsychotic medication is appropriate in some cases.

That said, it is crucial that clients discuss their desires regarding future care, including the appropriate use of antipsychotic medications for the treatment of Dementia and Alzheimer’s, with all named agents and successors. If a person acting as a health care agent is not sure about whether or not to approve the use of an antipsychotic medication, he or she should consider seeking a second opinion from a physician or hiring a geriatric care manager to evaluate the pros and cons of using different medications.


We all hope to live long and healthy lives, but we must also be prepared for illnesses and accidents. Health care proxies are important because they ensure that you have a named agent to make health care decisions for you if you are ever unable to make those decisions for yourself.


Consider investigating the antipsychotic medications being used to treat the Dementia or Alzheimer’s of a loved one. If you have questions about your role as health care agent, ask your attorney for guidance.


* A health care proxy is a legal document authorizing a designated agent to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions for yourself.