The Effect of De-Prescribing Antipsychotics on Health and Quality of Life for People with Dementia

PROJECT NARRATIVE The use of antipsychotics in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is commonplace and a key focus of efforts to improve quality of care in this vulnerable population. The goal of this research is to study how a novel effort to use behavioral economics to reduce prescribing of antipsychotics, conducted as a randomized controlled trial of warning letters to high-prescribing physicians, affected the health and quality of life of patients with dementia. Our results will show whether simple interventions can improve the value and safety of the health care system, particularly in dementia care.