Older people often taking more meds than needed

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-04-12 00:01

New Zealand

Guvo59 via Wikimedia Commons

Of 173 residents of a retirement village outside Auckland, researchers recommended that 135 (78%) change their prescription habits. Many of their prescriptions were outdated, with certain cardiac medications and PPIs most commonly recommended to be stopped. Other recommendations included increase of other medications, like panadol. The authors note that more pharmacists in the workforce would play a critical role in supporting our older generations to seek the best medicinal care possible.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Taking a lot of medications or medications that are no longer indicated can cause harm for older people. A team of specialists in older adult healthcare, including a geriatrician or nurse practitioner, clinical pharmacist and gerontology nurse specialists reviewed the health records of otherwise well older people participating in our research study. We met with participants, discussed their health and wellbeing concerns and together made a collection of recommendations about their future health. We made suggestions about medication in 78% of participants. We believe healthcare of older people would be improved with better collaboration and integration between general practitioners and specialists in older adult healthcare in secondary and community care.

Attachments

Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public. Research URLs will go live after the embargo ends.

Research Pasifika Medical Association Group, Web page

Journal/
conference: NZMJ

Organisation/s: University of Auckland

Funder: No competing interests listed.

Media Contact/s

Contact details are only visible to registered journalists.