Prescription Drug Abuse In The Elderly

"I'm taking 22 pills a day", said my elderly client proudly. That immediately raised a red flag with me. According to a recent study by the Toronto Star, the average 65 yr old takes 5 pills per day and only 12% take more than 10 pills a day.

So what was the need for all of these pills? My client couldn't answer that simple question. She also indicated that even though she felt sleepy and sluggish all of the time she didn't want to question her doctor as he might "get mad". Four different doctors were treating her and prescribing medications. She figures her primary care physician would challenge another doctor. That's very typical among the Greatest Generation. They were taught to do as they were told and to not question authority.

Consulting with colleagues, I learned that many Seniors are taking too many meds. It is called is a growing problem that even has a name: Polypharmacy. While you might assume that all doctors share informaton with each other, they do not. Yes, all information should be shared between doctors. Don't assume that is true. Even if it is true, most doctors don't read their patient's files, beyond scanning the first page. So in fact, 4 different doctors can be treating the same person and haven't the faintest idea what the other one is doing.

The results are frightening. Senior patients in particular are often taking old meds along with newly prescribed meds, not remembering or realizing that one is replacing the other. Pharmacists should be noticing this, but sadly they often do not - or the patient is filling prescriptions at more than one location and the information is not being shared between networks. The patient is trusting and nobody is watching!

Doubling up on meds and perhaps also taking meds that are contraindicated or even adversely react with one another is a very real possibility. That's a medical emergency waiting to happen: bleeding in the stomach or other complications, including death. An overly drugged senior is also more apt to suffer falls.

So what, as a concerned family member,can you do? Check how many meds are being taken by your senior relative. Ignore your beloved seniors reluctance to "challenge the doctor" and insist upon what is called a "brown bag review". Get a 'brown paper bag" and collect each and every prescription bottle and take them with you to the pharmacist or primary care physician. A good doctor will welcome your involvement. If they object, you know it is time to find another doctor.

As medical care becomes more and more automated, the human touch is ever so more needed. This is not the time to relax and trust that your beloved senior is getting the best care. Be ever vigilant and never assume that all is well. That is the least we owe the Greatest Generation.


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Marilyn Ellis is known as "America's Organizer Coach". As a author, speaker, Professional Organizer and Certified Life Coach, she loves helping people navigate through their busy and challenging lives. To learn more about Marilyn, visit her website at http://www.lighthouseorganizers.com or call 1-866-379-6440.