Antipsychotics are often prescribed to manage responsive behaviors associated with dementia, these drugs can cause serious side effects like confusion, dizziness, stroke or even death. While use was declining before 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced significant challenges, including staffing shortages and infection control measures, leading to increased rates of potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use. Deprescribing these medications when they no longer benefit or cause harm can improve safety and quality of life, especially with supportive care strategies. Person-centered care is a proven and safer alternative that addresses the root causes of responsive behaviors benefitting residents, care partners and care providers. Learn more about HEC's work on the appropriate use of antipsychotics (AUA).
How this program can help you
The Sparking Change in the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics Awards Program provides resources, coaching and financial award opportunities to up to 500 teams in long-term care (LTC) settings working to decrease the potentially inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications.
Whether your team is just setting out on your AUA journey, needs help to “spark” your deprescribing work or is already showing promising results, this program is designed to help you through coaching and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
Registered teams will have access to:
- quality improvement coaching
- webinars
- curated tools and resources
- peer-to-peer knowledge exchange
- content and resources on the AUA approach
- award opportunities totalling up to $32,000 per home
This program runs from November 2024 to February 2026 and is designed to be flexible.
Please see our Terms and Conditions (PDF 492 KB) for more details.
Watch the recording
Interested in sparking change for your LTC home? Watch the webinar below to learn even more about the program, including how to register and how your team can win monetary awards.
Who should join
Sparking Change is open to any LTC home across the country currently working on or interested in quality improvement work to reduce potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use for their residents. Teams who have previously participated in one of HEC’s LTC programs and those who are new to HEC are equally encouraged to register.
If you have more questions about this program, please see our frequently asked questions or contact us at AUA-UAA@hec-esc.ca for help.
Rising Rates: Antipsychotic Use in Canada’s LTC Homes
Nearly one in four long-term care residents may be receiving antipsychotic medications potentially inappropriately, according to a report released by the Long-Term Care Subgroup of the Appropriate Use Coalition, a group of 11 organizations dedicated to improving medication use in Canada.
Rising Rates: Antipsychotic Use in Canada’s LTC Homes
Nearly one in four long-term care residents may be receiving antipsychotic medications potentially inappropriately, according to a report released by the Long-Term Care Subgroup of the Appropriate Use Coalition, a group of 11 organizations dedicated to improving medication use in Canada.
AUA tools and resources
The foundation of the AUA approach is providing a supportive care environment for the person with dementia, getting to know them and tailoring care to their habits and preferences. We’ve created simple tools to support any long-term care home in their efforts to use person-centred care and the AUA approach – whether they are participating in Sparking Change or on a self-guided improvement journey.
These resources also offer guidance to care providers and care partners on how to address responsive behaviours without using medication.
If you would like to access our AUA Toolbox, please email us at AUA-UAA@hec-esc.ca.
HEC's work on AUA
Since 2014, we have supported hundreds of long-term care homes to safely deprescribe antipsychotics for people living with dementia. This work was first identified through our EXTRA: Executive Training Program and subsequently through a series of national and provincial collaboratives in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec. Learn more about HEC’s work on AUA.
Related resources
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Supporting organizations
HEC is grateful to the following organizations for their support in helping deliver Sparking Change, including: