Medications and Aging 

Thomas Clark, Generations Guest Editor

Medications play critical roles in older people's lives. They can prolong life, help manage chronic disease, and improve quality of life. But as older adults age, their chronic conditions frequently increase. This can lead to their consumption of multiple medications—a practice that can have serious, even life-threatening, health effects. The Winter 2011−12 issue of Generations explores the positive (and often controversial) role of medications in the aging cohort, and highlights emerging research about benefits and risks of medications, especially in fragile elders. Articles address special challenges relating to elders’ medication use, including polypharmacy, adherence to medication regimens, the potential for medications to contribute to geriatric problems such as falls and delirium, and the modern pharmacist’s vital role in delivering quality care.

The Role of Medications in the Lives of Older Adults: An Overview
By Thomas Clark

Medications in the Aging Population

A Primer on Medication Use in Older Adults for the Non-Clinician
By Emily P. Peron and Christine M. Ruby
Read this Article on AgeBlog

Medications and Elders: Quality of Care or Quality of Life
By Susan W. Miller

New Symptoms in Older Adults: Disease or Drug?
By Amber N. McLendon and Penny S. Shelton

A Myriad of Multiples: Many Problematic Factors Contribute to Medication Non-Adherence in Elders
By Dorothy Jackson

Medications and Aging: Other Challenges, Opportunities, and Reflections

Managing Medications for Improved Care Transitions
By Deanna S. Flora, Pamela L. Parsons, and Patricia W. Slattum

Buyer Beware: Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Safe in Supplements
By: Dawn Knudsen-Gerber

Medication Use in Late Life and at End of Life: A Slow Medicine Approach
By: Dennis McCullough
Read this Article on AgeBlog

Medicating Elders in the Evidence-Free Zone
By: John P. Sloan

The Pharmacist’s New Role as Park of an Interdisciplinary Care Team
By: Lisa C. Hutchison and Ashley Castleberry
Read this Article on AgeBlog

The Modern Pharmacist in Action

A New Way to Work: Pharmacists and Physicians Collaborate to Delivery Quality Patient Care
By Bryan Bray

A Pharmacist Who Makes Home Visits
By Erin Jennings

Pharmacists Can Bridge the Education Gap—at Home and in Community
By Gretchen Riker

The Enhanced Discharge Planning Program Eases a Patient’s Transition Home
By Madeleine Rooney, Debra Markovitz, and Michele Packard

Glossary and Resources

Glossary of Terms

Resource List
Compiled by Thomas R. Clark