Prescription use among senior adults
Prescription medication use among senior adults
June 14, 2023
Joy Stepinski, MSN, RN-BC
Taking medications seems like a very natural responsibility as part of aging. In fact, most seniors take a prescription drug. Adults over 65 are the largest age group to take medications, due to the amount of health concerns that people acquire [1]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 83.3% of American adults aged 60-79 take at least one prescription drug [2], and 34.5% take five or more. Common medications prescribed include lipid-lowering drugs, antidiabetic medication, beta blockers for heart disease, ACE inhibitors for lowering blood pressure, and proton pump inhibitors for reducing acid in the stomach.
In spite of medication benefits, taking too many medications can raise concerns. Polypharmacy is defined as taking at least five medications [3], commonly seen among older adults. The consequences of multiple medications may lead to unwanted problems. Negative outcomes are possible, such as increased risk of adverse drug events, medication errors, drug interactions, falls, frailty, less ability to live independently, more use of the healthcare system, decreased quality-of-life, and increased mortality.
What can be done? Review medications regularly with your healthcare provider [3] by prioritizing those medications that are most important and stopping ones that are not required. When starting a new med, ask questions on the necessity, whether options other than drugs are available, and about proven benefits of the therapy. Find out about the risks; if your organs will be affected; and if your mobility, vision, or cognition may be impacted. These questions can help you make informed decisions!
References:
1. The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults. (2021). National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/dangers-polypharmacy-and-case-deprescribing-older-adults
2. Hales, C.M., Servais, J., Martin, C.B., Kohen, D. (2019). Prescription drug use among adults aged 40–79 in the United States and Canada. NCHS Data Brief, 347. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db347-h.pdf
3. Halli-Tierney, A., Scarbrough, C., & Carroll, D. G. (2019). Polypharmacy: Evaluating risks and deprescribing. American Family Physician, 100(1), 32-38.