Reviewing medication list of elderly population can become challenging with the increased number of medications that one may take. Care should be taken to consider the elderly patients medical history, medication reaction history, and changes that the patient may be experiencing as they age. The patient may have tolerated and had benefits from medications for years, but as they age, dosages may need to be reevaluated. Medications may even need to be changed to a less aggressive approach as systems decline with advanced years.
“Drugs can interact to alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of a drug or interact in a synergistic or antagonist fashion altering their pharmacodynamics. Drug interactions are often clinically …show more content…
There are many risk factors for falls including drugs/medications, environmental hazards, weakness, gait problems, balance problems, sensory deficits, and vertigo just to list a few. A patient with multiple co morbidities also has a higher risk of falls because they more likely to be on many medications, and have more significant impairments and deficits. All of these factors are effecting this patient and adding to his risk of fall or injury. Every one of the medications that the patient is currently on has a side effect risk of dizziness. However, it is not feasible to just stop everything at one time. Risk and benefit must be weighed in this patients case and a slow approach to changes must be …show more content…
The avoidance of adverse drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions must be a primary focus when dealing with the elderly population. With this patient, the goal was to avoid making too many changes at one time and beginning with the end in mind, both of which are recommended avenues of care regarding the elderly. Providers must focus on a minimized medication regimen and a simplified dosing schedule for the older patient. Medications are intended for improving the quality of life and as healthcare providers we 're responsible for not harming our
“Drugs can interact to alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of a drug or interact in a synergistic or antagonist fashion altering their pharmacodynamics. Drug interactions are often clinically …show more content…
There are many risk factors for falls including drugs/medications, environmental hazards, weakness, gait problems, balance problems, sensory deficits, and vertigo just to list a few. A patient with multiple co morbidities also has a higher risk of falls because they more likely to be on many medications, and have more significant impairments and deficits. All of these factors are effecting this patient and adding to his risk of fall or injury. Every one of the medications that the patient is currently on has a side effect risk of dizziness. However, it is not feasible to just stop everything at one time. Risk and benefit must be weighed in this patients case and a slow approach to changes must be …show more content…
The avoidance of adverse drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions must be a primary focus when dealing with the elderly population. With this patient, the goal was to avoid making too many changes at one time and beginning with the end in mind, both of which are recommended avenues of care regarding the elderly. Providers must focus on a minimized medication regimen and a simplified dosing schedule for the older patient. Medications are intended for improving the quality of life and as healthcare providers we 're responsible for not harming our