Medication Management in Older Adults

Medication regimens should not be stopped abruptly without medical supervision because abrupt discontinuation can cause harm. The article identifies passive continuation without periodic reassessment as the shared problem across the three medication areas. Older people are affected differently and more severely by medications than younger populations. Necessary medications should not be abandoned, but each medication should have a clear purpose and exit plan. Good medication management requires a physician to review the full medication list and plan reductions or discontinuation when drugs are no longer helping the patient. Medication endpoints should be defined around improvement, unacceptable side effects, or changed patient circumstances.