World News

Drugs are widely used to sedate dementia patients. Her sons wanted to keep her off them

Sep 30, 2026 · Jordan Rau

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

Drugs are widely used to sedate dementia patients. Her sons wanted to keep her off them
Potent sedating medications are often used on agitated people with dementia in long-term care facilities despite federal efforts to discourage them. A clash over whether to drug a Michigan woman named Marjorie Tingley illuminates the wrenching decisions families and guardians face.
Potent sedating medications are often used on agitated people with dementia in long-term care facilities despite federal efforts to discourage them. A clash over whether to drug a Michigan woman named Marjorie Tingley illuminates the wrenching decisions families and guardians face.

Potent sedating medications are often used on agitated people with dementia in long-term care facilities despite federal efforts to discourage them. A clash over whether to drug a Michigan woman illuminates the wrenching decisions families and guardians face.

(Image credit: David Tingley)

← All stories