Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use in Singapore nursing homes.

Introduction: At present, 7.2% of the population in Singapore is in the geriatric age group, which will increase to 18.4% in the year 2030.

Prescribing psychoactive medications in nursing homes: current practice in Singapore.

Aim: To assess the prescribing practice, use and potential adverse effects of psychoactive medications in Singapore nursing homes.

Method: From a list of existing 24 voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) run nursing homes, four homes with the largest bed capacity were selected from the eastern zone of Singapore. When contacted, two homes agreed to participate in the study.