The challenges of managing medications can sometimes be overwhelming for seniors. This site is a resource for seniors and anyone who cares for seniors.

Senior care pharmacists—specialists in geriatric drug therapy and the unique medication-related needs of seniors—identify and prevent medication-related problems through careful evaluation and monitoring of patients’ drug regimens. People turn to senior care pharmacists when they or someone they know needs help making the best use of their medicines. The senior care pharmacist is your own personal health care consultant. You’ll find us wherever seniors reside—anywhere there’s a need for high-level medication management. We help fine-tune drug therapy so you, your grandmother, your father, your neighbor can get the best possible results. Senior care pharmacists are about more than just managing medications. They are dedicated to helping people live better and longer lives.

Additional Resources for Seniors

AARP Bulletin Features ASCP Member Armon Neel - PDF Download

Tips on Using Your Medicines Wisely

Potentially Inappropriate Medications for Older Persons

Medication Record

What Is a Medication-Related Problem?

How Are Seniors Affected By Medication-Related Problems?

Seniors at Risk: Falls

Medications That Should Be Avoided When Certain Diseases Are Present

Learn About What Senior Care Pharmacists Do

Certified Geriatric Pharmacists

“When Medicine Hurts Instead of Helps”

Additional Resources and Links on Best Use of Medicines

Seniors at Risk:
Medication-Related Problems Among Older Americans

More than 200,000 people die and another 2.2 million are injured each year because of medication-related problems—and seniors are the most susceptible.

WHY?

• Seniors take more medications than any other age group. Seniors between ages 65 and 69 have, on average, 13.6 prescriptions filled per year. Those between 80 and 84 years old have 18.2 prescriptions filled per year.

• The physiological changes of aging can alter how a body processes and reacts to a certain medication. In the aging body, the liver and kidneys may not as easily metabolize medications. In addition, changes in the distribution of fat and muscle can make seniors more susceptible to adverse drug events.

• Seniors have more chronic diseases and multiple conditions, so they use more prescription and over-the-counter drugs. More than 77% of seniors between the ages of 65 and 79 suffer from one or more chronic diseases. The number rises to 85% for those over age 80.

• Compounding the public health problem, seniors may not be taking the medications they need because they cannot afford them. The elderly account for 42% of total annual drug spending in the U.S.: $43 billion of the $102 billion total (Families USA, 2000). Millions of seniors cannot afford the medicines they need to stay healthy. Seniors spend nearly four times as much on prescription medications than those under age 65 (Cohen et al. 2000).

While it is extremely important to ensure that medications are appropriately and adequately managing the disease, it is equally important to ensure that the medication regimen is not contributing to those common geriatric problem-areas that may lead to excess disability, loss of independence, and decrease in quality of life. Senior care pharmacists protect the health and quality of life of seniors by preventing medication-related problems.

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