There is a call for long term care homes to stop prescribing anti-psychotic drugs to residents who may not need them.

Representatives with the Canadian Foundation for Health Care Improvement worked with 56 long-term care providers through 2014 and 15, taking seniors off anti psychotics-that had not been properly prescribed.

As a result, the Ottawa-based non-profit says falls dropped by 20 per cent, verbal abusive behaviour declined by 33 per cent and physical abusive behaviour by 28 per cent.

The foundation says when anti-psychotics are reduced so are hospital visits and money is saved on prescriptions.  The organization hopes to shine a spotlight on non-pharmacological therapies for residents with dementia.