This video provides important information about sedative medications. It promotes quality and appropriate use of sedatives in residential aged care services in Australia, in particular antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. It also explains some of the impacts and side effects that should be considered when using these medications, and highlights the importance of informed consent.
Following the Department of Health and Ageing funded pilot in 2008, and national expansion from 2014-2016, the ‘Reducing the Use of Sedatives (RedUSe) project has continued to evolve. From 2020, the Commission has engaged accredited pharmacists to deliver the RedUSe program to providers of residential aged care and support them to reduce the use of sedatives in their services.
