Antipsychotic prescriptions for older adults in the U.S. have increased in the last decade, especially from long-term care pharmacies. That’s according to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, which found that among adults aged 65 and older, rates of antipsychotic use increased from 2.67 per 100 people in 2015 to 4.05 per 100 in 2024. Researchers analyzed a decade of antipsychotic prescription claims from around the country for more than 8 million people aged 65 or older. Long-term use increased over the years, as did prescriptions from long-term care pharmacies. Prescriptions from psychiatrists declined. The patterns suggest an increase in chronic conditions or cognitive impairments among older adults, the authors write. They believe the increase in prescriptions emphasize the importance of improving mental health care and behavioral interventions for this population.