Don DrakeMedication Management and Seniors
Updated: Sep 22
Medication Management for Older Adults - Staying Informed
by Don Drake, Connelly Law Offices, Ltd.
When Connelly Law Offices, Ltd. becomes a guardian for an individual, one of the main responsibilities is to maintain contact with the ward and their health providers to ensure that they are both physically and mentally healthy and in touch with them on a regular basis. Such a task is something our staff takes very seriously – not only from a legal standpoint but also from a moral one.
At times, we receive calls from family members who have not heard from their loved ones and ask us how to do a safety check. Other times we may be contacted by a hospital or nursing facility asking the office to provide some information that they may need to develop an appropriate plan of treatment.
"But increasingly, we are finding more problems associated with medication errors and misuse among seniors who have chosen to age in place and lack the appropriate oversight of their medications," said certified elder law Attorney RJ Connelly III. "We are all aware of the increase in illicit drug abuse among this age group, but this concern is about prescription medication misuse and abuse. This includes taking more medication than needed, taking a prescription meant for someone else, and even using their medication with alcohol or other drugs. But most prescription drug errors are unintentional."
Changes As We Age
It's no secret to any of us in our senior years that our bodies are changing, and in some cases rapidly. Our skin begins to lack elasticity, our hair thins and may fall out completely, and our aches and pains become more numerous. These are things that we can see and feel. But there are also things happening on the inside that we cannot see, one of them being how we respond to medications.
For instance, body weight changes can affect the strength of the medication prescribed. Too much weight means the amount prescribed may not be enough to work as indicated and too little weight could result in an overdose. The liver and kidneys slow down, resulting in a slower breakdown of medications, and a higher chance of dangerous drug interactions occurring. And because of this, mistakes in taking medications could be lethal.
Mixing Medications - A Deadly Cocktail
Some time ago, one of our clients suffered a medical emergency in the community which required a hospital stay. The client had no immediate family, and our office was asked to gather some personal items for him as well as his medication box and bottles for them to get a better picture of the client’s medication regimen.
Upon entering the client’s apartment, our staff noticed that several bottles had tablets and capsules of differing colors and shapes. We opened one bottle labeled “Warfarin” (a powerful blood thinner) and found five different medications inside, none of which was the prescribed drug listed on the bottle. We used an online medication reference guide to identify the medications the bottle contained. They included:
Bupropion (a psychotropic used to treat depression).
Gabapentin (an anti-convulsant and treats nerve pain).
Fluoxetine (treats depression and panic disorder).
Lisinopril (treats high blood pressure and heart failure).
Risperidone (treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).
Three of the five are considered psychotropics (A drug or other substance that affects how the brain works and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior), one having abuse potential, and another used for cardiovascular stability. All these medications could produce serious side effects if taken inappropriately. This was not the first time we have encountered this but by far it was the most serious case we have seen. This begged the question -- just how prevalent is this problem and how does this affect our seniors?
In speaking with multiple medical providers, it turns out that medication errors in the home cause harm to at least 1.5 million seniors annually at a cost of over $4 billion to the health care system. The numbers are so high because of the sheer number of drugs - and seniors - involved.
More than 76 percent of adults over the age of sixty use at least two prescription drugs and 37 percent take five or more, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. As seniors live independently and for longer periods of time, their medical needs grow and the medications they are prescribed are more complex, resulting in more mistakes.
Other issues that account for the surge of medication errors include inappropriate storage, problems opening bottles, using different pharmacies, and seniors being unreliable reporters about the medications they are on when seeing multiple doctors for specialized healthcare needs.
Besides the obvious problems such as overdosing and possible toxic reactions, there is also a chance that the symptoms caused by medication misuse could result in a misdiagnosis. Mixing certain medications can cause memory loss, confusion, and changes in mood and personality presentations mimicking the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Seniors are especially at risk of developing dementia-like symptoms because their bodies are not able to process medications as well as a younger person does, as stated earlier. A slower metabolism, less lean body mass, less water in the body, and decreased kidney and liver functions make it harder to clean out toxins. As a result, drugs can accumulate in the body, and over time, this becomes toxic, and the side effects become magnified.
One other note about the client’s apartment our staff visited, besides the jumbled prescription medications, the floor was littered with empty vodka and rum bottles. As if misuse of prescription drugs was not bad enough, adding alcohol to the mix elevated the possibility of a fatal outcome. So, how do we put safeguards in place?
First, have a conversation
Many families find it exceedingly difficult to discuss situations like this with their loved ones and there are a variety of reasons for this. It’s difficult to tell someone who provided for you as a child that you must now step in and provide for them. It’s also difficult for us to admit that those we love are slowly slipping away. When it comes time to take a step like this, it's an admission that nothing is forever, and an end is in sight. It is sad to think about but stepping in can keep them healthy and with us a bit longer.
Start with a List
Make an accurate list of all medications a loved one is on. All prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements must be listed. This is important since some supplements, which many consider harmless or healthier because they are considered "natural" because they are purchased without a prescription, can interact with prescription medications - sometimes with serious results. Let’s look at some of the most common supplements and their interactions with prescription medications:
Black Cohosh, often suggested for "hot flashes" and vaginitis can enhance liver toxicity when combined with Lipitor or Tylenol.
Co-Q10, promoted to prevent heart damage, can interact with Warfarin, decreasing the blood-thinning effects of this medication.
Cranberry, often taken when a urinary tract infection is present (medically, providers are now telling us that cranberries are no more effective for UTIs than plain old water), can increase the blood-thinning effects of Warfarin resulting in bruising or clotting issues.
Echinacea, used by many when a cold is present, slows the breakdown of caffeine in the liver leading to nervousness and jitters.
Evening Primrose Oil, used by some to promote cellular health, can increase the risk of seizures for those taking anti-seizure medications.
Valerian, suggested for insomnia, has a list of over five hundred drugs that can interact with it, including muscle relaxers, pain medications, and sleep medications.;
St John’s Wort, called nature’s natural anti-depressant, should not be combined with SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, dextromethorphan, warfarin, birth control pills, and some HIV medications.;
Saw Palmetto, marketed as a supplement for prostate issues, can slow clotting and increase bleeding risks for those taking medications like warfarin.
Melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep cycle, can also cause excessive sleepiness in those who take benzodiazepines and muscle relaxers. Even more concerning, melatonin can increase blood sugar and interfere with diabetes medications.;
Kava, said to address nervousness, can combine with some medications and increase liver toxicity, it can also affect those using buprenorphine, leading to respiratory distress and even coma.
Ginseng, around for centuries, can decrease the effectiveness of drugs like warfarin and subject the user to clots.
These are just a few of the supplements that can interact with prescribed medication. Do your research before going the "natural" route.
Read the Labels
Know what's in over-the-counter medications. For instance, some over-the-counter cold medications can contain acetaminophen. Without realizing it, the person could also take more Tylenol later, thereby doubling the dose. Tylenol can be extremely toxic to the liver.
Cleaning up the Closet
Often, seniors have multiple doctors who may prescribe the same medication. And because some generics may be the same medication but look different, they may think they are different medications. Know what medications are prescribed and clean up a messy medicine cabinet.
Use the Pharmacist
Once you have a med list in place, consult with the pharmacist who will be able to see any duplications of prescriptions or over-the-counter meds. We knew of one case where a senior had trouble sleeping and was taking Tylenol PM. Her cardiologist suggested that she take Benadryl without knowing she was also taking Tylenol PM. The result was the senior complained of being tired and sluggish resulting in another doctor’s appointment and additional bloodwork. Because a senior’s body is not as efficient as a younger person's, the excess medication stayed in the system longer. A pharmacist will notice this.
A Fist Full of Pills
Because seniors may take so many medications, swallowing them can prove to be a challenging task for some resulting in medication non-compliance. There are ways around this. Some medications come in liquid form and others can be crushed and mixed with food like applesauce or puddings.
Do Not Make Changes on Your Own
The Tylenol PM may be making your father groggy, or the diuretic mom takes in the evening keeps her up half the night running to the bathroom. Changing the times, they are taken on your own is not a good idea as they may have been prescribed to be used at that time for a particularly good reason. Make sure your healthcare providers are part of that discussion.
Pill Boxes work
Using a pillbox is a necessity for some seniors. Trying to open bottles, reading each label, and counting pills can be time-consuming, confusing, and lead to non-compliance. Today, there are pillboxes for everyone - assorted colors, varied sizes and even talking pillboxes. Many pharmacies now offer pre-packaged medications that not only make taking medications easier for the senior but also help loved ones track the medications to ensure they are being taken on time or not being abused.
Seeking Outside Assistance
Home healthcare agencies now provide specially trained caregivers who can fill pillboxes and monitor medication compliance. Using a private nurse can cost upwards of $100 a day while home healthcare providers can offer similar services for about $20 an hour. But check and make sure what level of training those handling medications are required to go through and what supervision process is in place.
"Remember, managing medication for a senior is a complicated and challenging issue," said Attorney RJ Connelly III. "But by making sure your loved ones are taking medications appropriately, you’re helping them stay healthy while supporting their wish to remain at home for as long as possible."
Please click on the box below to download a fact sheet on prescription drug misuse and abuse.
2022-09-21 Medication Misuse and Seniors
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