Story perspectives

Study Reveals Increased Mortality Risk for Dementia Patients on Benzodiazepines

10/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Starting benzodiazepines or antipsychotics in hospice care increases mortality risk for nursing home residents with dementia, including a 41% higher risk with benzodiazepines and a 16% higher risk with antipsychotics within six months.
The study analyzed 139,103 Medicare beneficiaries from 2014 to 2018.
Nearly half of these patients received benzodiazepines.
Researchers call for national guidelines to standardize dementia hospice medications, noting Medicare no longer tracks these prescriptions.

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Story summary

Starting benzodiazepines or antipsychotics in hospice care increases mortality risk for nursing home residents with dementia, including a 41% higher risk with benzodiazepines and a 16% higher risk with antipsychotics within six months.
The study analyzed 139,103 Medicare beneficiaries from 2014 to 2018.
Nearly half of these patients received benzodiazepines.
Researchers call for national guidelines to standardize dementia hospice medications, noting Medicare no longer tracks these prescriptions.