Shed-MEDS Deprescribing for Dementia

This trial aims to reduce the use of unnecessary or potentially harmful medications in people with dementia living in assisted living facilities. The focus is on safely lowering doses or stopping certain medications, based on expert advice and patient or representative preferences. Researchers will monitor how many medications are reduced and whether quality of life improves over 90 days. Individuals with dementia who live in an assisted living facility and take five or more medications, or at least one potentially unsuitable medication, are well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to important research that could enhance medication management and quality of life for people with dementia.

The trial aims to reduce or stop unnecessary or potentially harmful medications for participants with dementia. This means you might need to stop or reduce some of your current medications, based on clinical guidelines and your preferences.

Research has shown that the Shed-MEDS deprescribing method is safe. In several studies, this approach helped people reduce their medication count without harm. These studies found that patients could safely stop or lower their medication doses. Importantly, no major negative effects were reported, making it a well-tolerated option for reducing unnecessary medications.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about the Shed-MEDS Deprescribing Intervention because it offers a personalized approach to managing medications for individuals with dementia. Unlike traditional treatments that often focus on adding medications, this intervention emphasizes safely reducing or stopping medicines based on clinical criteria and patient preferences. This method could potentially minimize medication-related side effects and improve overall quality of life for patients, making it a promising alternative to the usual medication-heavy approach in dementia care.

Research has shown that the Shed-MEDS Deprescribing Intervention, which participants in this trial will receive, helps reduce unnecessary medications in older adults. One study found that this approach safely lowered the number of medications without harming patients. For people with dementia, reducing medications can improve quality of life by minimizing the risk of side effects from unnecessary drugs. The intervention involves reviewing a patient's medications and suggesting which ones can be reduced or stopped, based on medical advice and patient preferences. This method has shown promise in enhancing well-being by focusing on essential medications.¹²³⁴⁶