Some had feared nursing homes would begin diagnosing dementia patients with mental health conditions they do not have to allow the continued use of antipsychotics to sedate residents.
Findings come amid continuing concerns about the overuse of antipsychotics for dementia patients in long-term care facilities, which is considered a form of "chemical restraint" or nursing home abuse.
Facilities found to use nursing home chemical restraints will be automatically given a one-star rating on the government's Nursing Home Compare website.
More nursing homes are turning to anticonvulsants, like Depakote and Neurontin, for patients who do not need them, leading some to suspect they are being used as "chemical restraints"
Antiepileptic drugs may be being used as a new form of "chemical restraint" on dementia patients, which is considered a form of nursing home abuse.
To avoid using antipsychotic "chemical restraints" on dementia patients, some nursing homes have turned to other drugs which have also not been proven safe or effective.
