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Description
Over half of the elderly population are taking three or more prescription drugs daily. For those aged 65 and older, polypharmacy, taking five or more medications, is common due to conditions like hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes (CDC, 2019). Managing these medications can be challenging, especially for those with dementia, who may also take drugs for conditions such as diabetes or depression, which can worsen cognitive impairment (Chippa & Roy, 2023). The complex regimens and increased sensitivity to medications heighten the risk of adverse events, particularly falls, a major cause of injury, hospitalizations, and loss of independence in older adults (Mueller et al., 2018). Studies suggest that medication reconciliation, or regularly reviewing a patient’s medications, could help reduce falls and improve safety for elderly individuals with dementia.
Department
Nursing
Publication Date
Fall 12-2024
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
Dominican University of California
City
San Rafael, CA
Keywords
polypharmacy, geriatrics, dementia, medication reconciliation, fall prevention
Disciplines
Geriatric Nursing | Nursing