Overmedication may lead to increased risk of falls
January 6, 2011
Certain medication can improve the quality of life for many older adults, but there is also a risk of taking too much. In fact, taking too many pills each day can lead to an increased chance of falls, according to The Wisconsin Rapid Tribune.
When too many different drugs are mixed, they can lead to nausea, a loss of balance and slower reflexes. Some of the most common drugs that can lead to these side effects are sleep aids, antidepressants, pain relievers and those meant for blood pressure.
To avoid overdoing medication, individuals may want to keep a log that tracks all of their doses. This way, one can share the information with a physician so that it can be evaluated for safety.
Sleeping pills are often the biggest culprit in causing falls and the news source suggests that it may be best to avoid them altogether. Finding alternative ways to get to sleep may be much healthier in the long run.
Having an automatic pill dispenser, or using one of the available medical alert systems, can also help manage medication. This device will notify an older adult when it’s time to take certain medications and, if they aren’t taken on time, can sound a medical alarm.
