Managing medications in clinically complex elders: "There's got to be a happy medium"

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pharmacology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Polypharmacy is prevalent in older adults, offering benefits but posing significant risks.
• These risks include prescribing errors, poor adherence, adverse drug events, and negative health outcomes.
• Managing multiple medications in the elderly is a critical healthcare challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence-based literature on optimizing medication use in older adults.
• To discuss strategies for the safe withdrawal of specific drugs and drug classes (deprescribing).
• To present a systematic approach for healthcare professionals to assess and improve medication regimens for elderly patients.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of evidence-based studies on medication management in older adults.
• Case study illustration of an older patient with multiple medication use.
• Synthesis of information on improving medication regimens and deprescribing.

Main Results:

• Multiple medication use presents both therapeutic advantages and substantial risks in older populations.
• Evidence supports systematic approaches to medication review and deprescribing.
• Improved medication management can benefit patients, caregivers, and families.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing medication regimens and judicious deprescribing are essential for improving the health and quality of life of older adults.
• Healthcare professionals require systematic methods to manage polypharmacy effectively.
• Patient-centered medication assessment can mitigate risks associated with multiple drug use in the elderly.