The consumption of antidepressants leaps with the entry into a rest house: “a major cultural change” is necessary

The data from the intermotualist agency for the year 2022 confirm this difference between the elderly living in a nursing home. Therefore, those remaining at home. Nevertheless, Almost half of the residents of the rest house (48.7 %) had consumed antidepressants that year, compared to 34.7 % among those over 65 benefiting from home care, and only 12.4 % of the over 65s living at home without receiving care. Similarly, Similar deviations appeared for antipsychotics: 28.1 % in rest houses, compared to 11.5 % in the elderly helped at home, and 3.5 % in those living without assistance.

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Big differences from one house to another – Consumption antidepressants leaps entry rest

The survey conducted by free mutuals is based on reimbursement data of 15. Consequently, 000 consumption antidepressants leaps entry rest residents per year between 2017 and 2024. In addition, It reveals a change in the consumption of drugs in the elderly at the time of their admission. Consequently, Six months before their move in the institution, 27 % of future residents are under antipsychotics. Nevertheless, This proportion rises to 28.2 % three to nine months after their admission. For antidepressants, use increases by 43.9 % before entry to 47.2 % after.

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The study also shows very contrasting realities from one institution to another. In rest houses where use is higher. one in four residents receives antipsychotics chronically (25 %), compared to one in eight (13 %) in centers with lower use, almost half as much. A significant difference is also observed in the use of antidepressants: 58 % of residents consume it in high use centers. against 47 % in those where this consumption is more moderate.

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A change of culture

“The admission process is a time when the general practitioner. the healthcare team and the patient can reflect together on the usefulness consumption antidepressants leaps entry rest of the drugscomments Emilie Vanderstichelen, deputy director of the Free Mutual Studies Service Service. The introduction of the ‘Screener Belrai’ in Flanders last year facilitates this concertation. It is a standardized tool to assess the state of health, needs and quality of life of residents. “

“In Brussels, several rest houses are inspired by the Tubbe method and the Senior Montessori approach. These models encourage the active participation of residents in daily life. the decisions that concern them, explains Kelly Mertens, coordinator of rest houses in the Brussels Federation Gibbis. By strengthening the feeling of autonomy and well-being, these approaches help reduce the use of psychotropic drugs. It is a major cultural change that we actively support. “

Free mutuals formulate three recommendations to political decision -makers. One: Strengthen the teams around residents for better management of their mental well-being and mental disorders. Two: promote autonomy. consumption antidepressants leaps entry rest meaning by encouraging the active participation of residents in the daily management of rest and care homes. And three: develop a psychotropic management policy in each rest house.

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