The aging process and medications were the program focus at the Mapleton Seniors’ Centre for Excellence November congregate lunch.
Pharmacist Robin Brown, the guest speaker, explained aging is a natural process in which the body, brain and senses change their behaviour. False concepts linked to aging include sadness, loneliness, disability, low productivity, loss of mental sharpness and illness.
Brown said some people adopt the attitude that the damage is done, so why bother protecting your health? The aging process actually is all about changing perspectives, maturity and different thought processes, he stated.
Quoting author Mark Twain, Brown said, “Age is more an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
By 2036 the seniors population in Canada is expected to double. Currently, 28 to 40 per cent of all medications are prescribed to elderly patients.
These medications are for a combination of illnesses and may interact with each other, causing potentially harmful side effects.
It is estimated that 87% of adults aged 65 or older are on one medication. Roughly one-third are consuming three medications. Two or more over-the-counter drugs are taken by 70% of the aging population. Drugs include prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and natural remedies.
The aging process makes seniors more sensitive to a medication’s effectiveness, Brown said.
“An aging adult taking five medications runs the risk of a 50% interaction between medications. One taking 10 medications increases the risk to 100% interaction,” he said.
Drugs change the way the human body functions. Some drugs used together may alter the effectiveness of each other and can be harmful if not used properly, Brown explained.
Natural remedies and vitamins are not necessarily safer than prescription or over-the-counter drugs, he noted, adding extensive research on prescribed and over-the-counter drugs determines the potential risk factors.
Research on vitamins and natural remedies has been minimal, Brown pointed out, adding some “natural” products have been found to contain no natural ingredients and claims of their effectiveness can be misleading.
Drug use issues
Drug use issues in elderly patients include:
– lack of understanding of information discussed at doctor’s appointments;
– brand versus generic name confusion;
– forgetting to take doses;
– keeping and using old medications;
– inability to see or read labels;
– financial factor – drugs may or may not be covered by Ontario Drug Benefits; and
– opening tamper-resistant lids on prescription bottles.
The longer a drug has been on the market, the more is known about how it works in the general population, often excluding seniors. The more medications a senior takes the higher the risk of adverse effects, drug reaction and interaction and non adherence in the body.
Risk factors for many seniors include:
– multiple providers, (ie. – heart specialist, arthritis doctor);
– multiple consumption of drugs;
– living alone;
– cognitive impairment;
– multiple chronic disorders; and
– inability to swallow.
As the body ages, Brown explained, changes occur in the heart, bones, muscles, bowels and bladder. Stomachs become less acidic, resulting in slower movement of medications through the stomach. The bowels take more time to empty causing constipation. Slow release medications can help alleviate these issues.
Noting senior bodies contain more fat, less muscle and less water, Brown explained medications are removed at a slower pace as less blood is flowing through the kidneys.
The pharmacist said over-the-counter antihistamines can cause confusion, cognitive impairment, low blood pressure and harm to kidneys. These symptoms can lead to potential falls in an aging patient. Pain medications like ibuprofen and ASA have the potential to cause kidney damage, he cautioned.
“Keep in mind that quality is better than quantity when taking medications,” said Brown.
“A patient should have their entire list of medications reviewed on a regular basis by qualified medical staff … Be confident the medication you are using is the best for you.”
