Aging Older Adults
Due to the effects of aging older adults’ process and respond to medicines differently than in younger people. Age-related changes in the body, liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and heart contribute to the older adult to become more vulnerable to overdose and side effects.
Furthermore, age-related challenges such as memory loss or poor eyesight can make it harder to follow instructions for taking medication (Hamilton, Gallagher, & O’Mahony, 2009). As a result of financial issues older adults in attempt to save money may fill prescriptions at numerous pharmacies or adjusting dosing schedule in an attempt to make prescriptions last longer. . Further money saving actions may be the use of numerous pharmacies in order to obtain medication at the lowest cost. Many older adults are much more than one prescription, with many older adults taking three or more medications, the risk drug interactions, mix-ups, and the potential for side effects is greatly increased.
The aim of this paper will address precautions providers may utilize to minimize drug interactions in the older adult. Comparison of the Beer’s List Criteria and STOPP/START will be discussed to assist in determining a useful method/tool to assist in prescribing medication in the older adult.
THE BEER'S LIST CRITERIA …show more content…
Medications in this class pose a high risk of adverse effect or have limited effectiveness in older patients. However, elimination of these medications do not hamper treatment, since there are replacement medication available. Group two consist of medication to avoid due to the disease diagnosis and the medication use can exacerbate or worsen health conditions. In the last category, 14 medications are listed recommending their use with caution due to the potential risk being greater than the benefit. Therefore these medication should be prescribed with
Furthermore, age-related challenges such as memory loss or poor eyesight can make it harder to follow instructions for taking medication (Hamilton, Gallagher, & O’Mahony, 2009). As a result of financial issues older adults in attempt to save money may fill prescriptions at numerous pharmacies or adjusting dosing schedule in an attempt to make prescriptions last longer. . Further money saving actions may be the use of numerous pharmacies in order to obtain medication at the lowest cost. Many older adults are much more than one prescription, with many older adults taking three or more medications, the risk drug interactions, mix-ups, and the potential for side effects is greatly increased.
The aim of this paper will address precautions providers may utilize to minimize drug interactions in the older adult. Comparison of the Beer’s List Criteria and STOPP/START will be discussed to assist in determining a useful method/tool to assist in prescribing medication in the older adult.
THE BEER'S LIST CRITERIA …show more content…
Medications in this class pose a high risk of adverse effect or have limited effectiveness in older patients. However, elimination of these medications do not hamper treatment, since there are replacement medication available. Group two consist of medication to avoid due to the disease diagnosis and the medication use can exacerbate or worsen health conditions. In the last category, 14 medications are listed recommending their use with caution due to the potential risk being greater than the benefit. Therefore these medication should be prescribed with