The Elderly and Medications - Essay Example

Aging is a natural phenomenon and relates to normal wear and tear. With aging the functional component of the body, internal and external, undergoes a gradual decrease in efficiency, thus raising a need for an additional support system for carrying out normal function. This support system, which provides a soothing effect apart from partially or completely curing the element, is given by medicines. Medicinal curing is affected when correctly prescribed (by a doctor or pharmacist) and followed. However these medicines may adversely affect some other functions of the body more so in the case of old age people. So it is mediatory for aging old people to undergo medicines under the strict supervision of their doctor or pharmacist (Marshall, Helen 2007). Commonly occurring diseases among old age persons are Coronary heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Strokes, Arthritis, and Osteoporosis.

There are other diseases not the result of aging but have a higher incidence in older adults like Cardiovascular, Dementia, Depression, Diabetes, falls and Injuries, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Hearing impairment, Memory, Nutrition, Parkinson's disease, Respiratory Disease, Pressure ulcers, Sleep problems, Thyroid Disease, Urinary Disorders, Visual impairment and many more. All these follow the different medications, life span after detection, and occurrence in old age groups (Connecticut United for Research Excellence).

Generally prescribed medication for elderly people includes Sleeping Tablets, Anti-depressants, Tablets for B.P, Anti-Parkinson's Medicine, Pain Killers, Anti-biotics, Steroids, Water tablets, etc (Bhimsingh, Suresh 2003). Some of the side effects occurred from these medicines are Confusion, falls due to unsteadiness, loss of bladder and bowel control, Confusion, drop-in B.P, dry mouth, depression, impotence, nausea, poor appetite, acidity, gastro-intestinal bleed, ringing in the ears, constipation, Diarrhoea, Skin rash, Alteration of body salt balance and likewise (Bhimsingh, Suresh 2003).

Elderly people are more prone to side effects because of multiple reasons summarized. Multiple medications may lead to interaction between medicines giving back the side effects. Inefficient liver/kidneys break down and excrete medicines causing them to remain for a longer duration in the system. Sensitive nervous system physical deterioration ( Marshall, Helen 2007)Case study the subject of the case study (name- DJ, age 73, living in a nursing home) is suffering from high Cholesterol and Mild Hypertension, Along with Weak muscle tone, impaired vision and lack of strength.

The disease, mobility, and Sensory Deficits are common occurrences among old age people. A list of drugs she is taking with the drug schedule is given below.
The prescribed drugs taken by the subject can be broadly divided into three categories, namely tablets for B/P. cholesterol-lowering pills and pain killers.