Are we over-medicating the elderly? This is the question that families, physicians, and patients frequently ask themselves. There is no clear answer. Statistics show that nearly 36 percent of seniors take at least five medications per day. Seniors have a lower tolerance to certain medications and metabolize them differently. Therefore, great caution should be used when prescribing to seniors.
Healthline discusses the risks of over-medicating the elderly. The problem may lie in the lack of communication between specialists and primary care providers. In addition, patients and providers often want to come up with a quick fix. This leads to prescribing powerful drugs without thinking through all possibilities.
Things like interactions, side effects, and long-term effects should all be considered. There is no intent to harm when prescribing to seniors. But knowing how different medications affect seniors differently is crucial in ensuring well-being. Consider other possibilities as well.
For example, 68 year old Gus began suddenly having panic attacks. Not long before, he had taken a round of steroids for a sinus infection. The uncontrollable anxiety was too much for him to handle on his own. A psychiatrist diagnosed him with anxiety and depression. Gus was then prescribed multiple psychiatric medications.
He endured twenty doctors and many medication trials. Until one day, he found out that the steroid he took can alter blood sugar and cause chemical reactions that affect mood. This story shows just how life altering medications can be.
Of course, many seniors will need some type of medication. But to younger generations with aging loved ones, the article offers one piece of advice. When it comes to their health, they might need oversight and supervision. If you aren’t able to yourself, have an Aging Life Care Expert go to appointments with them like Arizona Elder Care. Or have a Senior Car Pharmacist evaluate their prescription history and make recommendations.