Older adults

Older adults

Persons aged 65 years and older
comprise only 13 percent of
the population, yet account
for more than one-third of
total outpatient spending
on prescription medications
in the United States. Older
patients are more likely to
be prescribed long-term and
multiple prescriptions, and
some experience cognitive
decline, which could lead to
improper use of medications.
Alternatively, those on a fixed
income may abuse another
person’s remaining medication
to save money.
The high rates of comorbid
illnesses in older populations,
age-related changes in drug
metabolism, and the potential
for drug interactions may make
any of these practices more
dangerous than in younger
populations. Further, a large
percentage of older adults
also use OTC medicines and
dietary supplements, which
(in addition to alcohol) could
compound any adverse health
consequences resulting from
prescription drug abuse.