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Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.

4 min

What is the name of the guidelines designed to help improve the safety of prescribing medications for older adults 65 years and older?

According to the CDC, older adults make over 600,000 emergency room visits annually due to adverse drug events. To combat this, guidelines exist to improve prescribing safety for older adults, answering the question: what is the name of the guidelines designed to help improve the safety of prescribing medications for older adults 65 years and older?

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4 min

What is the screening tool for older people's prescriptions? An Expert Guide

According to the National Institutes of Health, over 36% of older adults take five or more medications, a practice known as polypharmacy, which significantly increases the risk of adverse drug events. Effective screening is crucial, and the primary tools used for older people's prescriptions include the Beers Criteria and the STOPP/START criteria.

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4 min

Are anticholinergic drugs appropriate and recommended for use in geriatric patients?

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), older adults are significantly more sensitive to the adverse effects of anticholinergic medications. This makes a critical question **are anticholinergic drugs appropriate and recommended for use in geriatric patients?** given the increased risk of cognitive decline and other serious side effects.

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4 min

Why Avoid TCA in the Elderly? A Critical Review of Risks

According to the American Geriatrics Society's Beers Criteria, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are on the list of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. The primary reasons why avoid TCA in the elderly include their high anticholinergic burden, which increases the risk of falls, cognitive impairment, and serious cardiac issues. For these reasons, healthcare providers often favor newer, safer alternatives for treating depression and other conditions in geriatric patients.

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5 min

Which medication has the highest risk of adverse drug reactions in older adults?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older patients are hospitalized for adverse drug effects at a rate significantly higher than their younger counterparts. This makes addressing the critical question, **Which medication has the highest risk of adverse drug reactions in older adults?**, essential for promoting senior health and wellness.

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4 min

What is the Beers Criteria for sleep medication? A guide for seniors

According to the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), many older adults are prescribed potentially inappropriate medications, including those for sleep. This raises the critical question: what is the Beers Criteria for sleep medication, and how does it affect senior care decisions?

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4 min

Why is it called the Beers list? Understanding the Beers Criteria for Senior Care

Medication errors and adverse drug events are significant risks for older adults, with studies showing they are a leading cause of harm in senior care. The need for a standardized tool to prevent such issues led to the creation of the Beers list, named after the pioneering geriatrician who developed it. Understanding **why is it called the Beers list** is key to appreciating its ongoing impact on patient safety.

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4 min

Why should anticholinergics be avoided in the elderly?

Over one-third of delirium cases in older adults are caused by medication, with anticholinergics being a major culprit. This highlights a crucial question in senior healthcare: **Why should anticholinergics be avoided in the elderly?** This article explains the heightened risks these common medications pose for older adults.

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4 min

Why is Benadryl Not Recommended for Over 65?

According to the American Geriatrics Society, the Beers Criteria recommends that older adults avoid certain potentially inappropriate medications, including oral Benadryl. **Why is Benadryl not recommended for over 65?** The primary reasons are a heightened risk of significant side effects, such as cognitive impairment and falls, as the body's ability to process the drug changes with age.

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