Drugs and the Elderly

Aging, Mental Health and
Medications--a Special Note

Among the first signs that a drug may not be working properly in an older person is a change in mood, energy, attitude, or memory. Too often, these alterations are overlooked, ignored, or chalked off to "old age" or senility. Older people may themselves feel that their blue mood is caused by something external such as the death of a friend or simply by boredom. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Virtually every heart medication, blood pressure drug, sleeping pill, and tranquilizer has been known to trigger depressive symptoms.

When a psychological symptom appears in an older person, examine his or her medication or drug use first. Consider, too, factors like alcohol intake, poor nutrition, and hormone imbalance. And never dismiss the possibility that a real psychological problem has developed and may itself require medication. Any older person with feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, unexplained crying, thoughts of suicide and similar symptoms could be among the five percent of the elderly who have a treatable, reversible depression.

Likewise, up to 15 percent of the aging population suffer from the symptoms of dementia: memory loss, disorientation, and confusion. Dementia can be a side effect of medicines. It may also be related to high blood pressure or conditions like Huntington's disease (a genetic disorder), Parkinson's disease (involuntary tremors), or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (a viral infection). Treatment of these can, to a small extent, reverse the dementia. However, some 60 percent of those with symptoms of dementia have Alzheimer's disease, a slow, progressive mental deterioration that, so far, can't be cured.

Alzheimer's disease is a particularly tragic disorder. It can affect people in their forties, but is more common among the elderly. Among the first signs of Alzheimer's are loss of short-term or recent memory--forgetting to shut off a light or the stove, or pick up the kids on time. As the disease gets worse, the person tends to become lost more easily and begins to forget how to do simple tasks like adding up numbers or reading the newspaper. Later on, all mental functions deteriorate, although the body is usually spared.

Treatment today consists largely of keeping the patient nourished, reducing agitation through tranquilizers, and helping the family cope through support groups. There is one medication -- Cognex -- that can alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's in some victims. It's not a cure and doesn't work for many people; but it's definitely worth trying if someone in your family suffers from this devastating disorder.

Safe Medication Use for the Aged

Safe medication use for the elderly requires vigilance on the part of the older person and those assisting him. It is especially important to keep track of maintenance drugs and make sure they are taken regularly. For a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, these medications are a key to maintaining good health.

Remember, too, that perfectly ordinary medications really can lead to unexpected results--especially in the elderly. Be alert for gradual changes that may signal an unwanted side effect. And guard against harmful drug interactions by making sure the doctor knows about all the medicines the older person is taking, including those prescribed by other doctors and any over-the-counter drugs.

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