TITLE:
That's Dope
VALIDITY:
No geronticide, drug use not absolutely banned.
DESCRIPTION:
This afternoon a meeting is being held about the common practice of Nursing Home residents with dementia being prescribed strong anti-psychotic medications for night sedation. These medications -- technically licensed to treat conditions like schizophrenia -- are often given to elderly people with severe dementia, in order to make them more settled at night time and easier to care for.
OPTION 1
"These inappropriate prescriptions carry a terrible health burden," observes Tsun Dao Ning, the Minister for Evidence-based Medicine, who moved @@HIS@@ mother into a nursing home so @@HE@@ could get the big bedroom. "All-cause mortality is doubled by the use of night sedation, mostly because of falls from muzzy-headed residents. Yet still doctors keep dishing them out, with over ninety percent of all prescriptions for that medication being given to care home residents with no psychosis. These medicines should be prescribable only by mental health specialists."
OUTCOME:
neighbours ask the elderly to keep the noise down at night
OPTION 2
"Look, it's easy for scientists in the rear echelons to bark orders, but it's different for us troops on the front line," argues care home worker Indy Worrs, whose seemingly inappropriate use of military metaphors is perhaps justified by the splatters of blood, faeces and custard on his work smock, and by the black eye he is sporting. "These medicines don't just make our job easier -- they make it possible. Let community doctors continue to prescribe. In fact, let community nurses and trained social workers prescribe too, when they see it is needed. Oh, and we need more care workers, and the best way to do that is for government to supplement the baseline wage level for our staff, to attract new recruits into this ongoing battle. Reinforcements, that's the ticket!"
OUTCOME:
nursing homes are quieter than they used to be
OPTION 3
"Where's the dignity of being old and useless?" spits fifeen-something-year-old wastrel Bette Roth-Dedd, who was meant to be attending the 'Teen Perspectives' focus group across the hall. "When people are so befuddled that they don't know where or when they are, it's probably time to put them down. That's all I have to say! Good morning to you!" She opens a door and exits dramatically, stepping straight into a broom cupboard.
OUTCOME:
only old people wear wristwatches
Draft 1
