GERIATRIC COGNITIVE DECLINE AND POLYPHARMACY

Course overview

ELDERLY PATIENTS TAKING AT LEAST FIVE MEDICATIONS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND DEMENTIA. POLYPHARMACY AND MILD COGNITIVE DECLINE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MORBIDITY AND HIGH HEALTHCARE COST. EVERY ATTEMPT SHOULD BE MADE TO MINIMIZE POLYPHARMACY IN THE ELDERLY. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION, RISK FACTORS AND INFORMS THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM OF SOME STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF POLYPHARMACY IN THE GERIATRIC POPULATION.