Anti-Psychotic Drugs and Older Adults with Dementia

Wanda Spurlock, DNS, RN, GERO-BC, PMH-BC, CNE, FNGNA, ANEF,FGSA, FAAN

In addition to highlighting issues surrounding the use of antipsychotic medications in older adults with dementia, this presentation will cover the major classifications of anti psychotic drugs, their side effect profiles, as well as principles and guidelines for prescribing antipsychotics in this population.

A professor of nursing in the College of Nursing and Allied Health at Southern University and A&M College, Dr. Wanda Raby Spurlock is recognized nationally as an expert in the care of older adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).  In addition to holding board certifications in psychiatric and gerontological nursing practice, she is recognized as a Distinguished Gerontological Nurse Educator by the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence and is a Certified Academic Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing (NLN). Her experiences in dementia care range from direct nursing care to executive leadership positions in acute psychiatric and behavioral health facilities. In addition to being a fellow in the NLN’s Academy of Nursing Education, Dr. Spurlock is a fellow in the National Gerontological Nursing Association, the Gerontological Society of America, and the American Academy of Nursing, where she served as chair of the Expert Panel on Aging. She has received numerous awards including being selected as One of Eight Louisianans of the Year by Louisiana Life Magazine, induction into the Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA) Hall of Fame, the Nurse Educator of the Year Award and the Outstanding Community Service Award by a Registered (LSNA). While currently a Hub Team member of Louisiana’s Well-Ahead, Healthy Aging and ADRD ECHO Program, Dr. Spurlock has served as a faculty member for several Medscape^© filmed roundtable discussions on Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Spurlock received a diploma in nursing (1976, Our Lady of the Lake School of Nursing), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1984, Southeastern Louisiana University), a Master’s in Nursing (1987, Louisiana State University Medical Center) and a Doctor of Nursing Science (2002, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC).

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Contact Ellen at programs@alzbr.org or 225-334-7494 for further assistance.