When is comes to the elderly, too many
have polypharmacy, me included. Diabetes also adds to the
medications. In the elderly, the problem can become severe because
of the risk of harm from medication side effects. The CDC states
that every year, 177,000 older adults visit the emergency room for
medication problems. This is not a great thing to happen to the
elderly and it is unknown how many deaths happen because people
cannot reach the emergency room.
Polypharmacy is often a burden for the
elderly because of the cost of medications. Often a decision needs
to be made between medications and food and a medication prescription
is not filled as a result. In addition, real hassles occur for many
of the elderly in timely taking their medications during the day,
especially if they have too many medications. This often can make a
chronic condition become worse and lead to doctors failing to realize
that the patient has not been able to take all medications as
directed.
The point to remember for many of the
elderly is that doctors are taught to prescribe medications and often
it may be a case that some medications need deprescribing. Research
has documented that inappropriate prescribing of medications is
common. A careful medication review will often identify medications
that are marginally useful or no longer necessary, but you may not
get such a review unless you request it.
For more information:
- MedStopper.com (Pharmacist-created online resource designed to help with deprescribing)
My blogs:
Number 8 of 8 blogs.
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