Chronic Constipation in Senior Citizens Topic for New Training for Health Care Practitioners
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists launches
E-IMPACCAT and ElderlyConstipation.org
Read key facts
about Medicines and Senior Citizens below news story.
Oct. 23, 2008 – The association dedicated to
serving the medication needs of senior citizens has launched a new
education initiative for health care professional and other elderly care
providers that help in better understanding the causes and treatment of
chronic constipation (CC) in older adults.
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
has named the continuing medical education initiative E-IMPACCT, which
is created fromElderly IMProvements and Advances
in Chronic Constipation Treatment.
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Chronic constipation is a condition that impacts
the lives of millions of older adults in the United States, according to
ASCP. It is the most common digestive complaint in the general
population and is associated with substantial costs.
In seniors, roughly 26% of men and 34% of women
complain of constipation. Americans spend approximately $800 million per
year on over-the-counter laxatives.
Severe constipation can lead to serious medical
problems that may even require surgery. Fecal impaction is a serious
concern in particular for nursing facilities, and without adequate
treatment, it may lead to significant complications.
This new program presents educational activities on
evaluating and managing CC and offers a range of tools to help
clinicians in everyday practice.
“Because of the cascade of complex health issues
that can be triggered by chronic constipation, clinicians have expressed
their need for targeted education about CC,” said ASCP Executive
Director and CEO John Feather.
“Clinicians need to identify, recognize, and
differentiate CC and have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of
each of the treatments and medications, the side effects, and
administration and efficacy data.”
About Constipation
Those reporting constipation most often are women and adults
ages 65 and older. More than 4 million Americans have frequent
constipation, accounting for 2.5 million physician visits a
year.
Constipation means that a person has three or fewer bowel
movement in a week.
The stool can be hard and dry. Sometimes it
is painful to pass. At one time or another, almost everyone gets
constipated. In most cases, it lasts a short time and is not
serious.
Self-treatment of constipation with over-the-counter (OTC)
laxatives is by far the most common aid.
Around $725 million is
spent on laxative products each year in America.
There are many things you can do to prevent constipation. They
include
● Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high
in
fiber
● Drinking plenty of water and other liquids
● Getting enough exercise
● Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to
● Using laxatives only if your doctor says you should
● Asking your doctor if medicines you take may cause
constipation
It's not important that you have a bowel movement every day. If
your bowel habits change, however, check with your doctor.
E-IMPACCT provides outcomes-based knowledge through
an ongoing, thorough awareness campaign with educational components that
will roll out over a 12-month period, says the sponsoring group.
Through this initiative, participants are presented
with new information and certified continuing education (CE) activities,
patient cases, and guidelines designed to help clinicians better manage
CC and improve outcomes in today’s seniors.
This knowledge will help
practitioners individualize regimens for their patients and will improve
the provider’s confidence in the course of action chosen.
“For all clinicians, the management strategies for
treating chronic constipation in the elderly should include a
combination of patient and caregiver education and communication,
dietary modifications, and treatment options,” commented ASCP Director
of Professional and Educational Affairs Trish D’Antonio Mazzuca.
“Educational outcomes from E-IMPACCT will measure
changes in clinician knowledge and behavior and improvements in patient
care.”
Components of E-IMPACCT include live meetings and
symposia, Web-based educational programs, audio conferences with live
faculty question-and-answer sessions, and a dynamic Web page,
www.ElderlyConstipation.org.
Through the Web page and via opportunities at live
meetings, health care practitioners may order free CC support tools,
including clinician pocket guides, clinical reference cards, an
in-service tool kit to train other health care providers, and patient
information and education. An awareness campaign is designed to kick off
the initiative so health care providers know these resources are
available to them at no cost.
The ASCP E-IMPACCT initiative is supported by an
educational grant from Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Takeda
Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and is sponsored through a
collaboration of ASCP, AKH Inc., and Medical Communications Media, Inc.
(MCM).
The week of October 19-25, 2008 is the 13th annual
observance of National Consultant & Senior Care Pharmacists Week.
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists says
it is the recognized expert in geriatric pharmacotherapy. The
international professional association provides leadership, education,
advocacy, and resources to advance the practice of consultant and senior
care pharmacy.
ASCP’s 7,000 members manage and improve medication
therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other
individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing and
subacute care facilities, assisted living communities, psychiatric
hospitals, hospice programs, and in home and community-based care.
● People age 65 and older use more medications
that any other age group.
● The elderly account for about 13% of the U.S.
population, but consume approximately 34% of total prescriptions.
● On average, individuals 65 to 69 years old take
a total of 14 prescriptions during the year.
● Elderly nursing home residents typically use 6
to 8 medications at the same time.
● Normal physical changes of aging greatly
increase the risk for medication-related problems.
● Nearly one in five elderly Americans living in
the community is taking at least one drug considered unsuitable for
their age group.
● Each year, medication-related problems are the
cause of more than 250,000 hospital stays in people 65 or over. These
hospitalizations cost an estimated $20 billion.
● Other medication-related problems include
mental impairment, drowsiness or lethargy, and loss of coordination.
● Medication-related problems are blamed for more
than 32,000 hip fractures and 16,000 car accidents among older Americans
each year.
● 10.7% of hospital admissions in older adults
are associated with adverse drug reactions.
● Older adults (age 65 or over) are two and
one-half times more likely to visit an emergency room due to an adverse
drug event than younger individuals.
● Medication-related problems are one of the top
five causes of death among seniors, and a major cause of confusion,
depression, falls, disability, and loss of independence.
● The economic impact of medication-related
problems in persons over the age of 65 now rivals that of Alzheimer’s
disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Taking Medications Safely
● Talk about your medications with all of
your health care providers–doctors, pharmacists, and others.
● If you’re being treated by different doctors
for different ailments, explain what medications you take—both
prescription and over-the-counter— and how you take them.
● Make a list of any problems you think may be
related to use of your medications. When visiting your physician or
consultant pharmacist, share this list with them.
● Bring all your medications to your physician or
consultant pharmacist so they can be checked in person.
● Follow medication use instructions exactly.
Don’t double up if you forget a dose, and don’t stop taking the
medication if you seem to feel better or if you’re simply tired of
taking pills.
● Involve your children, spouse, and other family
members as much as possible to help you keep track of what medications
you’re taking, and why.
Senior Care Pharmacy
● Talk to your doctor or consultant pharmacist if
you are having problems with your medication so they can help you take
your medications correctly.
● For millions of senior citizens and individuals
with chronic illnesses, consultant pharmacists play a vital role in
ensuring optimal drug therapy.
● For more than a generation, consultant
pharmacists have dedicated themselves to protecting the health of our
most vulnerable citizens— residents of nursing facilities.
● Consultant pharmacists are so important to the
health and safety of nursing home residents that federal law requires
monthly pharmacist reviews of each resident’s drug therapy.
● Today, these senior care pharmacists serve as
patient advocates for our nation’s seniors - wherever they reside.
● Senior care pharmacists take responsibility for
their patients’ medication-related needs.
● Senior care pharmacists ensure that their
patients’ medications are the most appropriate, the most effective, the
safest possible, and are used correctly.
● Senior care pharmacists identify, resolve, and
prevent medication-related problems that may interfere with the goals of
therapy.
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