They are overused. They are overused in nursing homes, less so than they used to be. They really should be reserved for people with psychosis, not just people that are agitated, but people who have psychosis. If you use them in agitated people with psychosis they work very effectively and are the drugs of choice. Cause people to fall, confusion, etc.
Decongestants are safer if used for short periods of time.
I think there s going to be quite a market for old people in the new Cox 2 inhibitors that are going to come out next year that have a much cleaner side effect profile than do the current nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. So, in summary, if there is no indication get rid of the medication. Usually you ll be right. If you are wrong, restart it. It just happens so easily.