Seniors living today have multiple advantages over aging adults from just a few decades ago; however, those benefits sometimes come with added considerations. For example, thanks to increased support and available resources, seniors can live at home independently for far longer than in decades past. However, living at home while managing chronic pain and complex medical conditions can also be trickier than in years past. Polypharmacy, or taking more than one type of medication at the same time, has given seniors the ability to remain healthy despite multiple medical complications. However, polypharmacy also means that some seniors’ medication lists are long and sometimes downright complicated. Unfortunately, polypharmacy can lead to negative consequences, including potentially dangerous ones.
When is the last time you reviewed your senior loved one’s medication list? You may be surprised to see how many medications they take each day, each with a carefully prescribed timeline from their physician. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and you aren’t alone. A research study published in the Journals of Gerontology suggests that 46 percent of seniors aged 70-79 take at least five medications per day, and that number doesn’t include over-the-counter medicines or supplements.
Medication for seniors saves lives, boosts independence, and reduces pain. But for too many seniors, the burden of daily medication management is too much. Twenty percent of patients who take one medication a day are unable to follow their doctor’s medication recommendations. Among seniors taking four or more pills a day, that figure soars to 50 percent. Missed pills can cause chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes to get worse. Seniors who take too many pills can experience catastrophic health issues such as negative drug interactions, drug overdoses, and painful side effects. In addition, over or under medicating can contribute to the risk of falls, leading to a variety of other complications including broken bones, hospitalization, or the inability to call for help.
Older adults have many options for where to live as they age. Most seniors prefer to stay at home, in the house they have loved for years, whenever possible. In fact, AARP reports that of seniors 65 and older. 87 percent desire to stay in their home and in their community as they grow older. Many older adults are able to fulfill this dream, with the Institute on Aging reporting approximately 11.3 million seniors living successfully at home alone.