In the aftermath of the scathing interim report last week, Scott Morrison has pledged to find the funding to tackle the issue of chemical restraint in the aged care sector.
There is no denying some aged care homes over rely on chemical restraint, but his wording suggests responsibility lies entirely in the hands of the operators.
In fact, residents are only medicated after being prescribed by a GP and provided the medication by a pharmacist.
On Sunday, Health Minister Greg Hunt announced doctors will have to ask the government’s permission to prescribe the antipsychotic drug risperidone for more than three months.
The new rules for prescribing the medication, commonly used as a chemical restraint to treat side effects of dementia, will allow the government to better track how widely it is used.
Figures show 86% of aged care residents are currently diagnosed with a mental health or behavioural condition.
But studies show exercise and laughter may be better than medication for treating dementia side effects.
It’s important to look at the bigger picture and not lay all the blame on aged care operators.
