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Psychoactive medication use among older community-dwelling Americans
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : Japha
|June 18, 2019
Summary
Over half of older Americans used fall-risk psychoactive medications in 2013, a significant increase since 1996. Pharmacists can help manage these medications to improve health and prevent falls in seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Geriatric Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Falls are a major health concern for older Americans, with psychoactive medication use being a significant risk factor.
- Recent national data on the prevalence of psychoactive medication use among the elderly population is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of psychoactive medication use in community-dwelling older Americans in 2013.
- To compare current prevalence rates with those from 1996.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2013 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data (claims and survey) for community-dwelling individuals aged 65+.
- Analyzed use of 7 psychoactive medication classes associated with increased fall risk (opioids, benzodiazepines, SSRIs, anticonvulsants, etc.) based on 2015 Beers criteria.
- Collected demographic data for analysis.
Main Results:
- In 2013, 53.3% of older adults used at least one fall-risk psychoactive medication, representing over 33 million individuals.
- Opioids (34.9%), benzodiazepines (15.4%), and SSRIs (14.3%) were the most commonly used classes.
- Prevalence rates for most classes were substantially higher than in 1996, with women showing higher usage than men for most categories.
Conclusions:
- More than half of older Americans were prescribed fall-risk psychoactive medications in 2013.
- Healthcare providers, particularly pharmacists, are crucial in managing these medications to enhance health outcomes and reduce fall incidents in the elderly.
- Effective medication management strategies can optimize health and mitigate fall risks in older adults.
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