Antidepressant drugs used by 6 in 10 residents in aged care homes
LONDON: Researchers warn there could be risky side effects to the soaring rates of antidepressant drug use in aged care homes.
Antidepressant use in aged care homes rocketed from 46 per cent of residents to almost 60 per cent in just over a decade — and that was before the stress of COVID lockdowns hit, South Australian research shows.
Experts say it is a “hidden” issue as older Australians are dosed up on drugs that can cause side effects such as nausea, restlessness and sedation, which can lead to falls and fractures.
A national study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), based at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), found the rise from 2006 to 2019 saw six out of ten Australian aged care residents taking antidepressant medication.
The study led by University of South Australia PhD candidate Georgina Hughes in collaboration with Professor Maria Inacio and Dr Janet Sluggett analysing data of 779,659 residents from 3371 aged care homes, between 2006 and 2019.
“We found antidepressants were used by 46.1 per cent of residents in 2006 and this increased to 58.5 per cent of residents in 2019,” Ms Hughes said.
“Nearly six in every ten residents of aged care homes are using an antidepressant, which is much higher than use in the general older population.”
Contributing factors included a growing focus on mental health, Ms Hughes said, noting the drugs — also used to treat pain – may be used as people experience anxiety, sadness and loss as they are moved into aged care.
“Transitioning to living in an aged care home often has a big impact on a person’s life,” she said.
“Although antidepressants can have beneficial effects for some people, it’s important they are used for the right reasons and the right amount of time.”
While the study did not take in the period since COVID hit, Ms Hughes noted the pandemic saw lockdowns, staff in masks, isolation, lack of social engagement in homes and forced separation from loved ones which all added stress.
She said the use of such drugs increased in the wider community since COVID hit and in overseas aged care settings.
“It would not be surprising if we saw a similar impact (in aged care homes) although we can’t confirm it,” she said.
Ms Hughes stressed it was vital aged care residents have access to non-drug treatments that benefit their overall mental health and wellbeing and not solely rely on antidepressants.
The researchers say they cannot deduce whether antidepressants are being overused, but the high use in aged care homes compared to the general population suggests a need for deeper investigation.
ROSA is conducting further studies into the duration of antidepressant use and safety among Australians living in aged care homes.
