from several chronic illnesses at the same time and they therefore require many medications. However, in the case of this kind of polypharmacy, possible medication interactions are exponentially increased. Furthermore, age makes the human organism more susceptible to side-effects, in part because the effect of many medications changes. The NPM would like to sensitise those involved with regard to these problems, and contribute to a reduction of medication-based restrictions of freedom. The topic of inadequate, inappropriate, not indicated, usually off-label use of psychotropic medication on geriatric patients with behavioural disorders due to dementia, which is a hardship for them and for their environment, has been the subject of critical remarks for years. The commissions have also pointed out these facts and circumstances. In order to make the discussion more objective, the NPM would like to state the following: Psychotropic medication belongs to those categories of medications that are prescribed most frequently in nursing homes. Without a doubt, treatment with psychotropic drugs can serve the well-being of nursing home residents and contribute to an improvement of their quality of life, provided that therapeutic standards are implemented responsibly, and clearly defined indications are taken into consideration. It was found by the commissions (and this is in line with international study results) that the inappropriate use of psychotropic medication correlates with specific patient characteristics that cannot be considered as medically relevant factors. This includes residents’ behavioural abnormalities, such as constant restlessness or aggressiveness. Given this background, it is suspected that psychotropic medication is also misused for the purpose of tranquilising residents. In its report from 2014, which is publicly accessible, the Viennese Care Home Commission (Wiener Heimkommission) stated, verbatim, about this subject: “Certainly, psychotropic medication is given with the intention (not to say “indication”) of restricting freedom. There are signs that not all, but a substantial portion of psychotropic medication is prescribed inadequately, inappropriately and are not indicated to an unacceptable extent.” Findings by the commissions There are hardly any figures or research regarding the situation in Austria. The NPM considers treatment with a psychotropic medication to be inadequate if it is prescribed in a dose that is too high or over a period that is too long, if no adequate monitoring is carried out, if there is no clear (medical) indication and/or if serious side-effects occur. Risk assessment 39