Avoiding Health Risks for Seniors
Scientific Reflections by Dr. Gerry Norton
Even though seniors (65+) represent about 13% of the population, they use more than one third of prescription drugs. It is even more significant when it is realized that the risks associated with both prescribed and over the counter drugs are dramatically higher among seniors than with the general population. Physicians should expect adverse drug reactions (ADR) as much as 50% for seniors using 5 or more prescription drugs per day. Clearly, risks are much more significant when prescribing drugs to seniors. The medical profession recommends slow and frequent monitoring of prescription drugs when treating ailments among seniors as a means of managing senior health matters. Are these so called precautions enough to safeguard the health of aging patients? Read More