Bill to protect seniors in care facilities goes to governor

Oregon seniors received increased protections Thursday as the Oregon House voted to concur on and sent to the governor House Bill 3262 . The legislation aims to better regulate the use of psychotropic medications prescribed for seniors and persons with disabilities in care facilities.

Psychotropic drugs are often used as a tool to improve mood and behavior but can be used improperly to address behavioral issues caused by dementia and developmental disabilities, including aggression, agitation, hyperactivity and delirium.

“This bill makes Oregon a national leader in protecting seniors and disabled persons from inappropriate prescribing of psychotropic medications.,” said Rep. Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene), the chief sponsor of the bill.

This bill aims to improve the safety of seniors and people with disabilities living in adult foster homes, residential care facilities, and long-term care facilities by increasing oversight of the use of psychotropic medications for individuals 65 years of age or older who are in an adult foster home, residential care facility, or long term care facility.

Additional protections include:

· If a new psychotropic medication is prescribed, it must be reviewed by the primary or mental health care provider to limit any adverse side effects and to ensure the medication is prescribed in the lowest possible effective dosage;

· Requiring a person-centered assessment to be performed in order to consider possible non-pharmacological interventions.

The bill allows the use of new psychotropic medications for up to seven days while review is taking place in case of emergency, ensuring that medications are still immediately available if necessary as part of an urgent or emergent preventive safety response.

“A statewide average for use of psychotropics shows a pretty good number, but, an average can obscure a few bad situations when added in with very good results elsewhere,” Nathanson added. “It’s those bad situations that deserve our attention, so we can protect the well-being of the more vulnerable of our citizens who are being robbed of their quality of life and are being put at increased risk for significant health complications.”

Additional sponsors of the legislation included Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon (D-Woodburn), Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Happy Valley), Rep. Paul Evans (D-Monmouth), Rep. Julie Fahey (D-West Eugene and Junction City), Rep. Caddy McKeown (D-Coos Bay), Rep. Mark Meek (D-Oregon City), Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham), and Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (D-Beaverton).

The legislation, which passed both the House and Senate unanimously, now goes to Gov. Kate Brown for her signature.