Sparking Change in the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics Awards Program

Ready to take the next step in advancing person-centred care through appropriate antipsychotic use?
Sparking Change in the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics Awards Program (Sparking Change) provides resources, coaching and financial award opportunities to up to 500 teams in long-term care (LTC) settings working to decrease the potentially inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications.  Prescribing rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain high in many LTC homes, making this work more important than ever.

• If your LTC home is working to support residents without a diagnosis of psychosis through safer, person-centred care, this program is for you. Whether your team is just setting out on your Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics (AUA) journey, needs help to “spark” your deprescribing work, or is already showing promising results, this program is designed to help you make a meaningful impact in your home. 

Why join Sparking Change? 

Sparking Change recognizes the important work already underway in long-term care homes across the country. More than just a quality improvement initiative, the program offers a meaningful opportunity to:

• Improve safety, engagement, and quality of life for residents
• Build staff skills and confidence in deprescribing
• Reduce medication-related risks and adverse events
• Join a pan-Canadian network of LTC teams working toward the same goals

Who should register?  

All LTC homes in Canada, whether public or private and whether operated for profit or not-for-profit, are eligible to join. This includes:

• Homes providing 24-hour nursing, personal care, and support services
• Teams new to AUA-related quality improvement work
• Teams with prior experience in HEC-led programs

For more information, see our FAQ section or email our team at AUA-UAA@hec-esc.ca.

Note for British Columbia teams: Sites must be pre-approved by Health Quality BC. For more information, contact longtermcare@healthqualitybc.ca.

To learn more read the terms and conditions (PDF). 

Proven Impact of the AUA approach

• In Quebec, the OPUS-AP program reduced or discontinued antipsychotic use in over 85% of participating residents with major neurocognitive disorders, without an increase in behavioural symptoms or falls
• German-Canadian Care Home (PDF) in British Columbia cut antipsychotic use from 44% to 31.6% in just over a year
• In Newfoundland and Labrador, 52% of participating residents had their antipsychotic medications reduced or discontinued, without an observed increase in aggressive behaviours  

Why this work matters

Antipsychotic medications are often used to manage responsive behaviours in dementia, but they can cause serious side effects like confusion, stroke, and even death.

From 2014 to 2020, the rate of potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use in LTC homes across the country fell from 27.2% to 20.2%. But the COVID-19 pandemic reversed that trend. By 2022–2023, usage rates had climbed back to 24.5%, where they remain today.

Deprescribing these medications when they no longer benefit or cause harm can improve safety and quality of life, especially with supportive care strategies. Person-centred care is a proven and safer alternative that addresses the root causes of responsive behaviors benefitting residents, care partners and care providers.

Learn more about HEC's work on the appropriate use of antipsychotics (AUA). 

Expand your participation—and your impact 

This offering is part of Care Forward, a larger initiative that provides funding and learning supports to drive impact on four key priorities: expanding care access, supporting aging in place, advancing person-centred long-term care and strengthening the health workforce. Teams are encouraged to explore various Care Forward offerings to boost their skills and amplify their impact. 

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