Polypharmacy In Older Adults

Care for People across the Lifespan Experience As we become older, our need for health promotion, proper nutrition and safety increases. Our development is affected due to increase of age and as age increases generally our health deteriorates. The elderly have serious problems as they age such as brittle bones, loss of muscle tone and weakened immune system. Health promotion is huge in order for the elderly to be informed on how to prevent illness and disease.
Safety
Safety is a huge concern with all ages across the life span but elderly are at a higher risk for safety issues. Falls, automobile accidents, and injures related to burns or fires are a big risk for the older adult. Prescribed medications can even alter their balance or affect
Polypharmacy is the use of two or more medications for the same disease by a patient. When the patient experiences polypharmacy they are at a higher risk for medication adverse reactions with other medications and reactions with food. In order to avoid polypharmacy in older adults the health care provider should make sure the patient’s medication regimen as simple as possible. The use of medication organizers to help with remembering to take medicine and help with organization of medicine. (Potter, Perry, Stockert, & Hall,
Lifelong eating habits and situational factors determine how older adults meet there nutritional needs. Lifelong eating habits can be influenced by religion and ethnicity. Situational factors include finances, access to grocery stores and a place to prepare meals. Good nutrition for older adults include appropriate calorie intake and limited intake of fat, salts, sugars, and alcohol. Things that can affect an elderly persons nutritional needs are difficulty chewing because of poor fitting dentures or loss of teeth with limits nutritional intake. Fat intake in the elderly is higher than normal due to the convince of fast food restaurants as opposed to cooking a meal at home. Sugar and salt intake are high as well because the elderly use extra while cooking or at the table to compensate for a diminished sense of taste. With the elderly it is important to monitor their food intake, serve and teach them how to prepare foods that are easy, offer food supplements that are tasty and easy to swallow and provide assistance with eating if needed. (Potter, Perry, Stockert, & Hall,