Over-Medication Prevention for Canada’s Seniors

Senior Medication Management  |  January 10, 2024

What Every Senior in Victoria, BC Needs to Know About Preventing Over-Medication

Over-Medication Prevention | For certain individuals, the use of medication is necessary for overall well-being and cannot be overlooked. However, research indicates – and professionals concur – that numerous individuals are consuming excessive amounts of medication. The greater the number of medications taken concurrently, the higher the likelihood of harmful interactions and potential negative effects caused by the combination and accumulation of drugs.

#DYK – 30 – 40% of people age 65 and over take 5 or more medications regularly. Of that group, about 10 percent of them take 10 or more drugs.

The elderly are experiencing a rise in the overuse of medication, also known as polypharmacy. This trend is becoming increasingly prevalent and reaching epidemic levels. Due to their susceptibility to chronic illnesses, seniors often require multiple medications. However, as the body ages, it may react differently to drugs and metabolize them at a slower rate, causing potential concerns with drug interactions.

Contributing Factors to Senior Over-Medication

One of the primary factors contributing to the rise in polypharmacy within the last ten years is the expanding variety of medications for managing chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. Additionally, advancements in diagnostic techniques have also contributed to increased medication usage. Furthermore, marketing strategies for prescription drugs targeting consumers have influenced patient inquiries and requests for specific medications seen on television and in print media.

The lack of coordination between insurers, doctors, and pharmacies is a pressing issue. It often leads to patients seeing multiple specialists without any communication among them regarding prescribed medications. As a result, patients are left to keep track of their prescriptions themselves, which can be overwhelming for some seniors. Recent statistics reveal that 25% of patients have prescriptions from at least four doctors on average.

Moreover, there is a common belief that individuals must continually use medication for chronic diseases, potentially for an indefinite amount of time. However, this may not be the case for those with slightly elevated cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Making lifestyle changes can effectively manage these conditions, yet there seems to be inadequate attention given to exploring these alternatives. Additionally, numerous studies indicate that a significant number of people are being prescribed antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and pain relievers unnecessarily.

Potential Dangers of Senior Over-Medication

While drugs do save lives, few prescription medications are completely free of risks or side effects. A 2012 report by Bruyere, a Canadian health services organization, listed several factors that put seniors at increased risk from polypharmacy:

• Physiologic changes (increased sensitivity to benzodiazepines, analgesics, or antihypertensives)
• Reduced kidney and liver function (making it harder to excrete drugs)
• Reduced body fat (this changes the distribution of drugs)
• Existing conditions (dementia, delirium, poor kidney function, poor balance, and increased likelihood of falls)

The cognition and mental capacity of seniors are impacted by polypharmacy. Seniors who are overmedicated may be falsely diagnosed with depression, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Recognize the Warning Signs of Senior Over-Medication

Being familiar with signs to be mindful of can assist in identifying if your loved one is experiencing overmedication. Some indications to look out for are sleepiness; bodily complications such as parched mouth and sores; disorientation; distancing from loved ones; seeing things that aren’t real; feeling lightheaded or having accidents; broken bones; and seizures. If any of these warning signals or abrupt shifts in behavior occur, it is crucial to promptly inform a medical professional.

How to Cut Down on Senior Prescriptions:

• If your loved one takes 4 or more medications, including vitamins, herbs, and over-the-counter medicines, and has not had them reassessed by their primary care doctor in the past year, it is important to do so as soon as possible. Bringing pill bottles to the doctor will ensure that they have accurate information.
• When discussing medication with the doctor, it is important to be proactive. Your loved one should inquire about each prescribed drug’s necessity and purpose. Senior patients can also question whether it is possible to decrease their dosages.
• Please inquire with the doctor about potential lifestyle adjustments, such as changes in diet or increased physical activity, that may allow your senior to decrease their reliance on medications. Additionally, explore the possibility of alternative treatments like acupuncture, yoga, or meditation for potential benefits.
• Don’t just rely on the doctor to know details about drug-drug interactions. Do online research. Reliable websites such as The DIR (Drug Information Resources) https://www.dal.ca/diff/druginfo.html and medscape.com list potential interactions and provide explanations.
• If a new medication is taken in addition to 2 or more, and new side effects occur, it is important to promptly inform your doctor – particularly if these symptoms involve stomach discomfort, lightheadedness, drowsiness, or impaired coordination.
• Over time, medications that have been regularly taken may lead to the development of new side effects or drug-drug interactions. This is due to certain drugs accumulating in the body and becoming more potent, while others may lose their effectiveness, causing previously treated symptoms to resurface.
• Select a single pharmacy and pharmacist for all medication needs. Ensure the pharmacist is aware of all medications being taken, including herbs prescribed from other sources. Pharmacists are often more knowledgeable in identifying potential drug interactions compared to doctors.

At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria Provides In-Home Elderly Care Services

Comfort Keepers®’s trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria In-Home Caregivers Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures are examined by industry experts against a set of quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada.

References:

• ParentGiving. “Overmedication in the Elderly.” Web. 2016.
• MedShadow. “Are Seniors Being Overmedicated?” by Steven Findlay. Web. 2015. Updated 2016.
• AARP. “The Pharmacist Who Says No to Drugs.” by Bill Hogan. Web. 2011.
• CareConversations. “Overmedication: Warning Signs to Watch For.” Web. 2016.

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