The Elderly Drug Abuser

Persons over the age of 65 make up only 13 percent of the population, yet they account for about one-third of all medications prescribed in the United States. As the Baby Boomer generation ages over the next 20 years, the potential for misuse of prescription drugs increases.

Older patients are more likely to be prescribed long-term and multiple prescriptions, which can lead to unintentional misuse. It can be very challenging for even the most aware person to keep track of up to 30 different pills taken in one day – all at different times and in different doses.

The elderly are also at risk for prescription drug abuse – taking medications that are not medically necessary or using medications for conditions they are not originally prescribed for.  Elderly individuals may be reluctant to report depressive symptoms to their doctors, and instead misuse prescription and over-the-counter drugs to self-medicate.

There are many reasons why misuse of prescription drugs can be more dangerous among the elderly than in any other demographic. Older people are more likely to take multiple prescriptions for increasing health concerns. They also use over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements, increasing the risk of negative drug interactions.

Seniors who take benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium or Ativan) are likely to feel the effects of those medications in different ways or more strongly than younger people. That can lead to falls, causing hip and thigh fractures, and vehicle accidents.