An Overview
Preventing Drug Misuse in Seniors
by Audrey Ignatoff, M.S.
July 13, 2005 - Preventing drug misuse in seniors is of critical concern to health care professionals, caregivers, and seniors themselves. In order for any prevention program to be effective, it must be a team effort involving both an art and a system.
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Seniors comprise about 13 percent of the total U.S. population; yet consume 25 to 33 percent of all prescription drugs. They also take over-the-counter drugs and home remedies in great quantities. Medications certainly play an important part in patient care, but the improper use of drugs may cause a variety of serious problems.
Drug misuse refers to the use of medications that result in social, psychological, and/or physical harm. It encompasses not taking necessary medications to becoming dependent upon psychoactive drugs. Problems with medications can develop from excessive use, under use, or the inappropriate mixing of drugs with other prescriptions, over-the-counter preparations, alcohol, and even certain foods.
The cost of drug misuse and abuse among the elderly is staggering! According to USA Today (1995), "Prescription Misuse Costs Nation Billions," prescription drug related problems cost an estimated $75.6 billion and cause 119,000 deaths yearly. Contributors to these costs indicates the following:
§ Decreased comfort and life span
§ Increased risk of dependency and addiction
§ Increased emergency room visits
§ Increased and longer hospital stays
§ Increased admission to long-term care facilities
§ Higher medical and hospital costs
§ Higher drug costs
§ Increased risk of misdiagnosing patients as "senile."
§ Increased accidental deaths and suicides
Both health care professionals and consumers must be aware of the components of this complex problem; it's nature, scope and patterns. It is important to understand the problems of adverse drug reactions, how the physiology of aging effects drug metabolism, problems of patient compliance, and the roles of health care professionals, patients and caregivers in preventing drug misuse.
For example, it is important to be aware that about 85 percent of those over 65 take prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and home remedies on a regular basis.
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People over 65 take an average of 11 different prescription drugs per year.
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The incidence of adverse drug reactions in geriatric patients is 2-3 times higher than for younger adults.
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Many of drug reactions are caused by drug-drug interactions or food-drug interactions.
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The slowing down of bodily functions such as metabolism, blood flow and excretion can cause unpleasant or dangerous effects.
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The risk of adverse drug reactions increases with age with cardiovascular and psychoactive drugs being responsible for most incidents.
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Drug toxicity may cause symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, falling and incontinence and often mimics other symptoms of aging such as weakness, fatigue, absentmindedness, anorexia, and even Chronic Brain Syndrome.
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An elderly person with these toxic side effects can have a serious injury or be misdiagnosed as "Senile." This too often results in unnecessary placement in a long-term care facility.
Clearly, we must try to find solutions to this pervasive and insidious problem among our seniors if they are going to enjoy the quality of life they deserve. Therefore, designing effective and systematic educational strategies is critical. Strategies may vary according to the needs of each patient. Patients can benefit from the following:
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Communicate effectively with health care professionals about medications. Be sure all those who prescribe drugs and over-the-counter medications, know all other drugs and over-the-counter medications taken.
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Know what side effects each drug can have and which ones signal danger.
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Learn to keep track of all medications and the directions for taking each one.
Mistakes in drug taking behavior can be dangerous, costly, and even life threatening. It is critical to use prevention techniques when taking any medications.
About the author:
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To learn more or to buy this book by Audrey Ignatoff, click on the book cover. |
Audrey Ignatoff, M.S., of Senior Arts and Systems is a geriatric consultant with over twenty years experience in this field. She is the former Coordinator of the New York State Subcommittee on Drug Misuse in the Elderly where she developed a statewide educational program for professionals and seniors. She conducts in-services and seminars in the New York Metropolitan Area. Ms. Ignatoff believes that "prevention is both an art and a system."
Audrey Ignatoff is the president of Senior Arts and Systems, a consulting company in health care and geriatrics. She has conducted seminars and in-service training for hospitals, nursing homes, home health care agencies, social service agencies, and businesses.
Audrey was an ardent supporter of Terri Schiavo, and has written numerous articles about her case, including, “Saving Terri Schiavo” published in The Human Life Review, Winter, 2004 and “The Tragedy of Medicine Today” in JewsforLife.org. She is also the co-author of a book dedicated to her entitled, The New Underground Railroad: Health Care Warriors. Her latest book is Remembering Terri Schiavo: Reflections of a Health Care Warrior.
Ignatoff holds a Master of Science in Social Research from Hunter College in New York City, and is a medical sociologist with experience in research, health care administration, training, and writing. She lives with her husband and two college age children in New Jersey.
Ms. Ignatoff is releasing a training manual for seniors entitled, Preventing Drug Misuse and Abuse for Seniors shortly.
Click to More Senior News on the Front Page
Saving Terri Schiavo (The Human Life Review)
http://www.humanlifereview.com/2003_winter/art_2004_winter_travig.php
PBS-The Healthcare Crisis: The Uninsured
http://www.pbs.org/healthcarecrisis/uninsured.html
Mass. Bill Requires Healthcare Coverage
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/04/AR2006040401937.html
Kavorkian's Big Lie
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/news/2007/06/19/big_lie/
Washington Post: Health Seniors
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/health/seniors/
Feds Seizing Prescription Drugs from Seniors
http://mostlywater.org/us_feds_seizing_canadian_prescription_drugs_from_seniors
CBS News in Depth: Seniors and Drugs
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/seniorsdrugs/
Articles by Wesley J. Smith
http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=13&isFellow=true
Women for Faith and Family
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