DQ1 Aging comes in with multiple health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, and arthritis conditions. Compared to the younger population, elderly people are more likely to suffer from multiple diseases. Polypharmacy is a sector of concerning for specifically elder people compared to the younger population (Salvi, Rossi, Lattanzio, & Cherubini, 2017). Elderly population is at the highest risk of adverse drug reaction as a result of metabolic changes as well as reduced drug clearance related to the ageing. Additionally, the risk factor accelerated with the increasing number of drug being used. The potentiality of drug to drug interaction is further increased by application of varied or multiple drugs. An intervention is use of non-pharmacological interventions including non-modification strategies. Therapeutic activities including art, music, pets and aromatherapy which helps in reducing the demand for psychoactive medication so as to modify behavioral episodes. Old age comes with a lot of chronic condition whereby some could be managed minus medication. Polypharmacy is associated with incidence of frailty over the eight years follow up period. Frailty is referred to as the state of increased vulnerability to the stressor resulting from decrease in the physiological reserves in the multiple organ system leading to the limited capacity to maintain to manage or maintain homeostasis (Lim et al. 2017). Those people who are using multiple drugs happen to be less health compared these taking fewer drugs. Individual who takes multiple drugs have double incidents of frailty. Moreover, frailty is linked to the polypharmacy because it contribute to development of frailty as a result of negative influence on the factors related to frailty including commodities or weight loss. The intervention is to identify the indicator for every medication. All the medication should include indication or diagnosis for which the drug has been prescribed. This practice will encourage safe prescribing. Deprescribing is also important as the risk versus the benefit of medication or the drugs is examined to reduce the chances of polypharmacy complications (Lim et al. 2017). References Lim, L. M., McStea, M., Chung, W. W., Azmi, N. N., Aziz, S. A. A., Alwi, S., … & Rajasuriar, R. (2017). Prevalence, risk factors g health outcomes associated with polypharmacy among urban community-dwelling older adults in multi-ethnic Malaysia. , (3). Salvi, F., Rossi, L., Lattanzio, F., & Cherubini, A. (2017). Is polypharmacy an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes after an emergency department visit?. , (2), 213-220. Purchase the answer to view it

Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, is a significant concern among the elderly population. As individuals age, they are more likely to suffer from multiple health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, and arthritis. Compared to younger individuals, the elderly are more vulnerable to adverse drug reactions due to metabolic changes and reduced drug clearance associated with aging. Moreover, the risk of drug-drug interactions increases with the use of multiple medications. Consequently, polypharmacy in the elderly is associated with various complications, including frailty and negative health outcomes.

Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to stressors resulting from a decrease in physiological reserves in multiple organ systems, leading to limited capacity to maintain homeostasis. Studies have found a link between polypharmacy and the incidence of frailty in the elderly population over an eight-year follow-up period. Elderly individuals using multiple medications have a higher risk of frailty compared to those taking fewer medications. Additionally, frailty is associated with polypharmacy as it exacerbates the development of frailty by negatively affecting factors related to frailty such as weight loss.

To address the issue of polypharmacy in the elderly population, interventions such as non-pharmacological strategies and deprescribing have been proposed. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as therapeutic activities like art, music, pets, and aromatherapy, can help reduce the demand for psychoactive medication and modify behavioral episodes. These interventions can be particularly effective in managing chronic conditions and reducing the need for medication in older adults.

Another important intervention is to ensure that every medication has a clear indication or diagnosis for which it has been prescribed. This practice, known as safe prescribing, encourages healthcare professionals to carefully evaluate the necessity of each medication and avoid unnecessary polypharmacy. Furthermore, deprescribing, which involves examining the risk versus benefit of medication, is important to reduce the chances of polypharmacy complications. Deprescribing involves discontinuing medications that may no longer be needed or adjusting dosages to minimize potential harm.

In conclusion, polypharmacy is a significant concern among the elderly population and is associated with various complications, including frailty. As individuals age, they are more vulnerable to adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions. Non-pharmacological interventions and deprescribing have been suggested as interventions to address polypharmacy in the elderly. Non-pharmacological strategies like art, music, pets, and aromatherapy can help reduce the need for psychoactive medication. Additionally, safe prescribing and deprescribing practices can help minimize the risks associated with polypharmacy. By implementing these interventions, healthcare professionals can better manage medications in the elderly population and improve their overall health outcomes.