Medications Should be Carefully Controlled as Alzheimer ' s Advances

While Alzheimer's specific drugs may help slow symptoms for some people, they also may increase the risk of hip fractures, fainting, urinary problems, and other health issues. Most researchers now think that a time comes when many medications for the elderly are no longer beneficial and may be harmful. According to an article in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester looked at 5,406 nursing home residents who had late-stage Alzheimer's or dementia with more than half of them being older than 85. The scientists found that 2,911 of the patients - nearly 54 percent - were taking at least one medication of questionable benefit. An article from the Fisher Center for Alzheimerâ™s Research states that non-Alzheimer's specific drugs that doctors often prescribed which are not necessarily recommended for those with advanced dementia included cholesterol-lowering drugs and blood thinners other than low-dose aspirin. According to The Fisher Center, some drugs given are beneficial because they are helping to control diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, but others aren't needed and may actually worsen the quality of life. Since many residents in nursing homes are receiving from five to 15 prescription medications daily... Continue reading on HealthCentral for information on the negative aspects of too many medications on someone living with dementia:   Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their ...
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs