Use of central nervous system medications among elderly home health clients

Older persons consume a disproportionate share of all medications dispensed in the United States. In particular, medications acting upon the central nervous system (CNS) have been overprescribed for elderly persons, both in and out of the institutional setting. Although researchers have studied drug use by elders who live in the community, little is known about the use of CNS medications by ill older persons who live at home. This descriptive study examined the use of CNS medications in a group of elderly persons (N = 141) admitted to a visiting nurse association for skilled care. Subjects resided in the community of a large midwestern city. Approximately half of the subjects used some type of CNS drug. Sedative/hypnotic and narcotic and opioid analgesics, two categories of medications with the potential for serious side effects, were most frequently prescribed. Nurses in community and institutional settings are in an ideal position to screen and monitor the use of CNS medications by homebound ill elders.