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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.
-
People over 65 take an average of 11 different prescription drugs
per year.
-
The
incidence of adverse drug reactions in geriatric patients is 2-3
times higher than for younger adults.
-
Many of drug reactions are caused by drug-drug interactions or
food-drug interactions.
-
The
slowing down of bodily functions such as metabolism, blood flow and
excretion can cause unpleasant or dangerous effects.
-
The risk of adverse
drug reactions increases with age with cardiovascular and
psychoactive drugs being responsible for most incidents.
-
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.
-
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:
-
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.
-
Know what side effects each drug can have and which ones signal
danger.
-
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:
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.
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