Medication Management for Older Adults: Risks of Polypharmacy and Safe Follow-up

With age, the number of medicines for blood pressure, diabetes, heart, cholesterol, joints and sleep tends to grow. Taking five or more medicines a day is called polypharmacy. It is often necessary, but without a system it can lead to missed doses, double doses, interactions and falls.

Why medicines act differently in older age

• Kidneys and liver work more slowly, so drugs stay longer.
• Body water decreases and fat increases, changing drug effects.
• Vision, hearing and memory problems make correct use harder.
• Prescriptions from different doctors may not be coordinated.

Building a safe routine

1. An up-to-date list with name, dose, time, how to take and prescriber; take it to every appointment.
2. A weekly organiser with morning, noon, evening and night compartments, filled by the same person each week.
3. An annual medication review with the GP or a geriatrician.
4. Fall prevention: sleeping pills and some blood pressure medicines can cause dizziness; use night lights and non-slip slippers.

Report dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, poor appetite, bruising or bleeding after starting a new medicine.

Our nurses help families across Yalova with weekly organisers, dose tracking, injections and vaccinations, with planned visits in Bursa, Istanbul and Kocaeli–Gebze.