The elderly in nursing homes have long been treated poorly, as so many guilty adult children (cf. The Savages) can attest. But because of societal prejudices and pervasive ageism, little attention has been paid by the mainstream media. Now, however, one of the most popular stories on the New York Times' website is Doctors Say Medication Is Overused in Dementia. It's long overdue.

I admit I have a personal interest in this subject. When...