SENIORS AND POLYPHARMACY

Polypharmacy is defined as the simultaneous use of multiple drugs to treat a single ailment or condition. Studies have shown that seniors are at a higher risk for polypharmacy, as they are typically on more medications.

Prescribing medications is an essential part of what a physician does to improve the lives of their patients. However, there are some pitfalls of medications that patients should be aware of. For example, the treatment of hypertension and depression are two categories of diseases where medications can have unwanted side effects.

One of the most common medical conditions patients are treated for is hypertension. To reach proper control, it is not uncommon for patients to require two or even three antihypertensives. Often these medications are not changed unless the patient or family themselves bring up concerns. Elderly patients are at particular risk because low blood pressure contributes to dizziness, fatigue, increased somnolence, and finally gait instability leading to falls.

Depression and anxiety are two other commonly treated health conditions. Untreated depression can contribute to various physical symptoms and even cognitive impairment. However, the medications used to treat depression have a lot of side effects. Additionally, as patients age, those same medications which improved health, may begin to negatively impact them. The dose may need to be reduced, or the medication may need to be weaned off.

It’s also common for patients to be treated by various doctors. Sometimes when one physician starts a medication, the others don’t know or realize this has occurred, unless the patient is very well organized or medical records are well maintained. When medications are changed frequently or patients are hospitalized many times, the risk of polypharmacy goes up.

So how can families and patients reduce the risk of not only polypharmacy but medication errors in general? First, keep a log or list of the medications, match that with the doctor’s list, and update it regularly. Second, work closely with your primary care physician, as they should already be keeping track of the medications. Finally, if a patient lives in a senior community, working closely with the building staff and nurses is imperative in reducing medication confusion and errors.

Hansa Medical Groupe has offices at 5250 Old Orchard Road, Suite 300, in Skokie, and in Chicago, 847-920-0902, hansamedicalgroupe.com.