Geriatrics is the branch of medicine focused on the health and care of older adults. This field addresses physical and mental challenges that accompany aging, and managing medications is an aspect of geriatric care. As people age, their bodies change, affecting how they process and respond to drugs, which makes careful oversight necessary. Here are some ways aging impacts medication management:
Navigating Changes in the Body’s Drug Response
The way the body manages medication shifts as part of the natural aging process. Organs responsible for breaking down and removing drugs, such as the liver and kidneys, often function less efficiently. The liver may metabolize drugs at a slower rate, leading to medications building up in the system and increasing the risk for stronger side effects. Decreased kidney function means drugs and their byproducts may linger longer than intended, which raises the potential for toxicity.
The body’s composition also changes with age, including increases in body fat and decreases in water content. Fat-soluble drugs may remain in the system longer, and water-soluble drugs might reach higher concentrations in the blood. These changes can make older adults sensitive to certain medications. Adjusting dosages or changing medication types may be necessary to promote safety and effectiveness.
Tracking Concurrent Medications
Older adults often manage several ongoing health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, or arthritis. This leads to a situation called polypharmacy, which is taking many different medications at the same time. Polypharmacy can increase the chance of drug interactions. A blood thinner for heart disease could interact with an anti-inflammatory taken for joint pain, leading to unexpected side effects or reduced drug effectiveness. Non-prescription items, such as herbal remedies or dietary supplements, may also interact with prescribed medications. By keeping an updated list of all medications and supplements, you can help your geriatrics care team identify possible conflicts and address risks before they become an issue.
Maintaining Medication Regimens
Each prescription, with its specific dose and timing, creates a complex daily routine. Someone might take a blood pressure pill in the morning, a diabetes medication with meals, and a sleeping aid at night. Managing these schedules, especially when medications must be taken at different intervals, presents a daily challenge.
Memory decline can result in missed doses or doubled doses if a person forgets whether they have already taken a pill. Diminished eyesight may lead to confusion when reading tiny print on pill bottles, and arthritis can make it hard to open containers or handle small tablets. Complex instructions, such as needing to take a certain medication with food while another must be taken on an empty stomach, add to the confusion.
Practical steps help simplify this process and support adherence. Setting daily reminders, using pillboxes, or creating a chart can help manage the timing and dosage of each medication. Professional caregivers play a role by organizing medications in advance or providing guidance as needed. Open and regular communication with a doctor or pharmacist about side effects, difficulties with schedules, or physical limitations often leads to helpful adjustments; these may include switching to a different form of medication or reducing the number of daily doses.
Work With a Geriatrics Specialist
Medication management in older adulthood creates challenges, from physical changes in the body to the complexities of taking multiple drugs. A geriatrics specialist understands these factors and is experienced in helping older adults navigate them; they conduct thorough medication reviews to manage prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and supplements. The goal is to help you stay independent and safe while making medication routines as manageable as possible. Contact a geriatric care team to schedule a consultation.
