Important examples of drugs with a higher risk of toxic effects because of age-related reductions in first-pass metabolism include nitrates, propranolol, phenobarbital, and nifedipine.
Medications that have been associated with increased risk of dementia include overactive bladder medications, pain medications, heartburn medications, and certain anxiety medications. The risk of dementia with these medications increases when you take higher doses over longer time periods.
Who is Defined as Elderly? Typically, the elderly has been defined as the chronological age of 65 or older. People from 65 to 74 years old are usually considered early elderly, while those over 75 years old are referred to as late elderly.
Dihydropyridines (i.e., amlodipine [Norvasc], felodipine [Plendil]) are safe for use in patients with heart failure, hypertension, or chronic stable angina. Short-acting agents are not recommended in clinical practice.
The major cause of death in the 55-64 age group is cancer followed by heart disease and injury. In the 75+ age group, the leading cause shifts to heart disease, and injury drops below Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cerebrovascular diseases, and pneumonia.
In 2021, pain medications (analgesics) continued to lead the list of the most common substances implicated in adult poison exposures. Sedatives and sleeping medications, antidepressants, and cardiovascular drugs followed.
Drugs which cause sedation (drowsiness/sleepiness) Nitrazepam, Diazepam, Temazepam, Amitriptyline, Dosulepin, Chlorpromazine, Phenobarbital,Chlorpheniramine, Hydroxyzine Sedation is one of the most common causes of drug induced falls.
Medicine for breathlessness – midazolam or an opioid. Medicine for anxiety – midazolam. Medicine for delirium or agitation – haloperidol, levomepromazine, midazolam or phenobarbital. Medicine for nausea and vomiting – cyclizine, metoclopramide, haloperidol or levomepromazine.
ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for people over the age of 80 years old is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg if it was taken at home)
Blood pressure above 130/80 mm Hg is considered high.
Your loved one should consult with their doctor if their blood pressure is consistently high.
New Blood Pressure Standards for Seniors
The ideal blood pressure for seniors is now considered 120/80 (systolic/diastolic), which is the same for younger adults. The high blood pressure range for seniors starts at hypertension stage 1, spanning between 130-139/80-89.
The United States' older adult population can thus, be divided into three life-stage subgroups: the young-old (approximately 65 to 74 years old), the middle-old (ages 75 to 84 years old), and the old-old (over age 85).
One study classified older adults into the young old (60 to 69 years), the middle old (70 to 79 years), and the very old (80 years and older).
Plenty of septuagenarians today look healthy and spry — hence the cliché: 70 is the new 60. "Look at all the tremendous developments in modern medicine, not to mention changes in nutrition," McCarthy said. "And air conditioning — the degree to which we're insulated from our natural environment."
Hobbies such as playing chess, reading a book or doing a daily Sudoku puzzle can help boost overall cognitive function. Specifically, these hobbies may help sharpen quick-thinking skills, such as processing speed, decision-making and short-term memory.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.