Women, people in their 50s and early 60s, and those in fair or poor health most likely to report worse depression, anxiety, sleep and overall mental health in past year.

Despite guidelines, 14% are on three or more drugs that act on the brain and nervous system; families and providers should review prescriptions regularly.

From opioids and antipsychotics to antidepressants and anxiety medicines, study looks at prescriptions among community-dwelling older adults with dementia.

Benzodiazepine prescribing is most intense in the South and in economically disadvantaged counties. It’s also more common among older male primary care physicians.

In lieu of potentially dangerous (and ineffective) antipsychotics, targeted therapies could be the answer to helping doctors and families ease dementia symptoms.