Elderly at Risk of Falling Due to Increase in Medication Use

As the elderly population continues to grow, so does their need for medication. Unfortunately, this increase in medication use can lead to an increased risk of falls. A recent study conducted by researchers at Osaka University has found that older adults who take more than four medications are more likely to experience a fall than those who take fewer medications. The research team also found that regular reviews of medications can help reduce the risk of falls among the elderly. The study looked at data from over 4,000 elderly people aged 65 and over who were living in Japan. The participants were asked about their medical history and the number of medications they took on a daily basis. The results showed that those taking four or more medications had a higher risk of falling compared to those taking three or fewer medications. Additionally, those taking five or more medications had an even greater risk of falling compared to those taking four or fewer medications. The researchers suggest that regular reviews of medication use may help reduce the risk of falls among the elderly population. They recommend that doctors should review each patient’s medication list on a regular basis and make adjustments as needed based on age, health status, lifestyle and other factors. Additionally, patients should be encouraged to discuss any side effects they may be experiencing with their doctor as soon as possible so that adjustments can be made if necessary. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults and can have serious consequences such as fractures and head injuries which can lead to long-term disability or even death in some cases. Therefore it is important for healthcare professionals and patients alike to be aware of the risks associated with increasing medication use in order to prevent falls from occurring in this vulnerable population group.