How Drugs Affect Seniors
Some facts about the elderly and medications:
* People older than 65 use more medications than any other age group.
* About 75% of the elderly who live at home take at least one medication daily; those in nursing homes take six to eight.
* With age, kidney and liver function decrease and sensitivity to medicine can increase.
* Each year in the United States, medication problems are the cause of more than 250,000 hospitalizations for people 65 and older.
To combat the problem, Glendale Adventist Medical Center has launched a Pharmacist House Call program for homebound seniors.
Depending on the needs of the senior, a pharmacist can be accompanied by a nurse, doctor and social worker on home visits. The team evaluates the patient, and takes precautions to avoid drug interactions and disposes of outdated medicine.
The house call is initiated by referral from a patient’s doctor or a community agency. Services are billed to insurance.
Funding is provided by the Glendale Community Foundation and Blue Cross of California. Besides Glendale Adventist, other providers include Glendale Memorial Hospital, Verdugo Hills Hospital, the Verdugo Hills Visiting Nurse Assn. and Glendale Health Center. For more information, call Glendale Adventist at (818) 409-8100.
Sources: American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
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