Prescription Medication Misuse: What Seniors Should Know

Over half of adults ages 65 and older take four prescription medications. While these medications are effective for alleviating pain or managing chronic illnesses, prescription drug misuse in older adults does occur. Medication misuse is more common in seniors than in younger people. Furthermore, dementia and other cognitive disorders can lead to unintentional misuse.

To stay safe, seniors, loved ones, and caretakers must be aware of the dangers of prescription drug misuse. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this silent threat.

What Is Prescription Medication Misuse?

In order to reduce their risk, seniors must first understand what prescription drug misuse looks like. Some common examples of medication misuse include:

Self-medicating
Taking too much medication
Taking more than is prescribed by a doctor
Taking multiple prescription drugs while consuming alcohol

Other examples of medication misuse can be caused by age-related health conditions, including Alzheimer’s, dementia, or depression.

Some of the most common prescription medications older adults can misuse include:

Opioids: These are commonly prescribed to control and relieve pain. Opioids can cause people to feel euphoric, which could lead to dependence and addiction. Seniors who abuse this medication can experience constipation, poor judgment, confusion, nausea, or respiratory depression.
Benzodiazepines: These medications include diazepam, lorazepam, or Xanax, and are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, sleeping disorders, and depression. Seniors may abuse these medications to self-medicate or take more than their doctor prescribed. Benzodiazepine misuse can lead to double or blurred vision, slurred speech, and drowsiness. In worst-case scenarios, medication misuse can also cause comas.

Common Signs of Prescription Drug Misuse in Seniors

Medication misuse in older adults can be difficult to detect. Loved ones might overlook it or be reluctant to acknowledge that a problem even exists. Many of the signs of medication misuse are similar to common signs of aging, making detection even more challenging.

Some common symptoms of prescription medication misuse in older adults include:

Sudden changes in blood pressure
Increased confusion
Changes in mood or behavior
Difficulty sleeping
Depression or irritability
Unexplained chronic pain
Loss of coordination, including frequent falls, loss of balance, and unsteady walking

Family and friends may also notice that their elderly loved one is getting their prescriptions frequently refilled. In severe cases, older adults might even forge prescriptions to get their medication.

What You Can Do

Be vigilant about your senior loved one’s medication intake. Keep a list of all medications they are prescribed, as well as the dosage. If you or your loved one is misusing prescription medication, there are plenty of ways to get help. You can call the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Visiting Angels of Tulsa, OK, Is Here to Help

If your elderly loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, they may need help managing their medication intake. Visiting Angels of Tulsa, OK, provides award-winning in-home caregiving solutions to seniors throughout Tulsa, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Jenks, and Bixby. Our compassionate caregivers assist seniors with non-medical medication management, meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, and more. While we do not administer medications, we can help ensure your loved one takes their prescribed medications on-schedule and at their physician-recommended doses.

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