Geriatric Pharmacology

Tablet splitting can save money, especially for brand-name medicines that aren’t available as generics. Sometimes different strengths of the same medicine cost about the same. To save money, a doctor may write a prescription for a higher strength of a tablet with instructions to use ½ of a tablet per dose. Some insurance companies even recommend this practice to save both the patient and the insurance plan money. Saving money is good. Unfortunately, splitting some medications may end up causing...Read entire article »

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Believe it or not, there is a video game that can actually be good for you! Video game giant Nintendo has come out with a game that is taking the boomer and elderly market by storm. Senior centers, adult day cares, assisted living facilities and even nursing homes have been reaping the rewards of this innovative game, whose benefits are much greater than you might expect. Playing a Role in Post-Op Rehab On December 26, 2006, I had both...Read entire article »

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Aging sometimes means reduced balance, coordination, vision, strength and agility. These factors, along with certain medications and even our home environment, can increase our risk of falling. Ground-level falls are a major health problem for people 65 and older. An estimated 30% of people in this age group fall each year, resulting in hospitalization, permanent disability, and sometimes death. In fact, injuries related to falls are the sixth leading cause of death for seniors, and annual health care costs associated...Read entire article »

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Last month we discussed how our bodies change as we age. Aging also makes us more prone to having side effects from medications. So what medications should be avoided in the elderly? Dr. Mark Beers, writing in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1997 and in 2003, identified medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults. The Beers Criteria are now widely used by physicians and pharmacists to identify medications that require special monitoring in the elderly. Following is a...Read entire article »

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As we age, our bodies change. So does our need for, and response to, medications. In this installment, I'll address the effects of aging on the body. Let's start with the following questions. What are these changes in the body? How do these changes impact the need for medications? How does aging affect the body's response to medications? Effects of Aging: Skin Can easily break down. Becomes drier. Can be itchy. A moisturizing lotion or cream may be needed. Eyes...Read entire article »

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