Date of Award

1990

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Gerontology

Department

Gerontology

First Advisor

Arlene Taich

Second Advisor

Jan Burggrabe

Third Advisor

Allene Jackson

Abstract

Nine elderly tenants living independently in a retirement complex in their apartment in a program for the frail elderly were studied.

This study consisted of interviews of various professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers, and an executive director; conversations with the tenants, their families, and aides working with the tenants; reading numerous articles and books; announced and unannounced visits to nursing homes, hospitals, and a facility for the handicapped; conversations with some of the residents and staff during the visits; observations of the elderly in the apartment and facilities visited; concluding with a brief study of the medications taken by the nine elderly tenants.

Results of the study indicated that some of the elderly are over-drugged due to 1) doctors having little or no training to treat the elderly, 2) drugs accepted as a cure all by the population under study, 3) forgetfulness of the elderly, 4) stereotypes of the elderly and drugs exist as realities to many and included, a) the elderly must suffer and use drugs to mitigate and b) the elderly take many drugs.

Eight of the nine tenants studied took five to eleven prescribed and over the counter drugs three times daily. Six took psychotropic drugs. Four were treated by professionals for over-drugging. Seven were monitored to take medications.

Worst Pills Best Pills, Dr. Wolfe, 1988 dealt with 104 pills older adults should not use and 183 safer alternatives. The nine elderly tenants studied took a total of 51 drugs. Twenty-four drugs were listed acceptable, fifteen drugs were listed "do not use or limited use • and twelve drugs were unlisted. Over half the drugs taken by the tenants were listed do not use, limited use or unlisted. Four of the elderly tenants studied were over-drugged, five were not. In conclusion, some elderly are over-drugged.

Download

Share

COinS