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Study Reveals 25% of Dementia Patients on Risky Meds

1/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A JAMA study finds about 25% of Medicare beneficiaries with dementia receive brain-altering medications.
This occurs despite warnings about risks such as falls and confusion.
Over nine years, overall prescriptions declined from 20% to 16%.
Among dementia patients, more than two-thirds lack a documented clinical indication for these medications.
Benzodiazepine use declined from 11.4% to 9.1%, while antipsychotic use rose from 2.6% to 3.6%.

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Story summary

A JAMA study finds about 25% of Medicare beneficiaries with dementia receive brain-altering medications.
This occurs despite warnings about risks such as falls and confusion.
Over nine years, overall prescriptions declined from 20% to 16%.
Among dementia patients, more than two-thirds lack a documented clinical indication for these medications.
Benzodiazepine use declined from 11.4% to 9.1%, while antipsychotic use rose from 2.6% to 3.6%.