Antidepressants in residential aged care: Exploring the views of residents and their family, facility managers, carers, nurses, GPs and pharmacists

Background: The use of antidepressants is higher in older Australians. Around 38% residents in aged care facilities are taking antidepressants. Long-term antidepressant use is associated with adverse effects including increased risk of falls in older age. The RELEASE: REdressing Long-tErm Antidepressant uSE intervention has been developed to support safe cessation of long-term antidepressants.

Aim: To explore stakeholder perspectives on antidepressant use in residential aged care, to inform adaption of the RELEASE multi-strategy intervention to this setting.  

Design: This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with residents, family members, nurses, facility managers, pharmacists, and GPs in three residential care facilities in south-east Queensland, Australia. 

Who is funding this research: Mayne Bequest