> “People don’t just wake up with schizophrenia when they are elderly,” said Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician and former nursing home executive who has bec

> “People don’t just wake up with schizophrenia when they are elderly,” said Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician and former nursing home executive who has become a critic of the industry. “It’s used to skirt the rules.” What will likely happen is that they will simply approve Haldol for additional uses, such as the cases where elderly are hallucinating and highly agitated due to the effects of Alzheimers. Then doctors won't be use the schizophrenia diagnosis, they will diagnose "Alzheimers-induced psychosis" instead. The effects can be remarkably similar, which is one reason this may be occurring and not just staff shortages or cost cutting. I am not taking sides on this, but there would be no uproar if Haldol was on-label for late-stage symptoms of Alzheimers. It would just be another medication used to help ease symptoms. I'd be curious if manufacturers are trying this route. If I was in this terrible situation I'd probably want the Haldol but that's just me.