Readers ask: Why Is The Elderly Client At Greater Risk For Polypharmacy?

Polypharmacy is an area of concern for elderly because of several reasons. Elderly people are at a greater risk for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) because of the metabolic changes and reduced drug clearance associated with ageing; this risk is furthermore exacerbated by increasing the number of drugs used.

Why is polypharmacy more common in the elderly?

Polypharmacy is common among elderly persons because of the need to treat the various disease states that develop with age. Although the deprescribing of unnecessary medications is a way of limiting polypharmacy, the underprescribing of effective therapies in older patients is a concern.

Who is at highest risk for polypharmacy?

Polypharmacy, defined as regular use of at least five medications, is common in older adults and younger at- risk populations and increases the risk of adverse medical outcomes.

What age group is most at risk for polypharmacy?

The results of this study indicate that the prevalence of polypharmacy is high in the elderly people and is associated with demographic factors such as being married, being female, being in the age group of 60–69 and 75–79 years, having comorbidity, being retired, and being employed apart from homemakers.

Why are elderly patients at increased risk for adverse medication reactions?

The elderly are particularly at increased risk of adverse drug reactions (ADR) [1] attributed in the main to polypharmacy and physiological changes affecting the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many drugs or poor compliance due to cognitive impairment or depression.

Why does polypharmacy increase risk?

Polypharmacy is linked to increased risk of adverse drug events in older people due to increased risk of drug interactions, lack of adherence to medication regimes, susceptibility of older people to side effects of medications, and physical changes related to ageing causing difficulties in taking medications as

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What are the risk factors in polypharmacy?

Frailty, multimorbidity, obesity, and decreased physical as well as mental health status are risk factors for excessive polypharmacy. Sex, educational level, and smoking apparently do not seem to be related to excessive polypharmacy.

Why does polypharmacy happen?

Polypharmacy can be caused by a variety of factors including: Self-medicating without an accurate understanding of effects and reactions. Patients being prescribed multiple medications by health professionals who are not aware of other parties involved.

What is polypharmacy & Its Implication to older adults?

Polypharmacy is defined as increase in the number of medications or the use of more medications than are medically necessary. Polypharmacy is common in older ambulatory care, hospital, and nursing home patients. Polypharmacy increases the risk of numerous negative health consequences in the elderly.

How common is polypharmacy in elderly?

Its prevalence ranges from 4% among community-dwelling older people to over 96.5% in hospitalized patients. In addition, numerous adverse clinical outcomes were associated with polypharmacy.

How can older adults avoid polypharmacy?

Tips for Avoiding Polypharmacy Issues in Older Adults

  1. Work diligently with patients and families to secure an accurate list of medications.
  2. Reorganize the medication list in a patient’s EHR.
  3. Look for inappropriate and incorrect prescriptions.
  4. Use caution when deprescribing medications.

How can older adults avoid polypharmacy quizlet?

Among older adults, polypharmacy is a common problem. To help patients manage their drugs, caution them to:

  1. avoid sharing medications.
  2. store medications in a secure, dry location away from sunlight.
  3. refrigerate medications if necessary.
  4. dispose of old medications properly.
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For what reasons are elderly considered sensitive?

Elderly individuals have the potential to exhibit sensitivity to a broad range of substances. This is due to internal biological changes associated with the aging body, present state of health, and genetic predisposition.

Which patients are more vulnerable to adverse effects?

The prevalence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) increases with age, with twice as many patients aged 65 years and older being hospitalized because of ADR-related problems than their younger counterparts [Beijer de Blaey, 2002].

Why are older adults at increased risk for toxicity when on antidepressants?

Old people are at greater risk of developing adverse events while taking any medication—including antidepressants—because of concurrent illness, consumption of other prescribed and over the counter drugs, dose miscalculation because of forgetfulness, and altered drug kinetics.

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