ABSTRACT
Older people account for a growing percentage of the UK population, and for around one-third of primary care workload and prescribing volume. several studies in European acute geriatric hospital departments have shown that 10-12% of all acute admissions of elderly patients and 18% of elderly deaths are the direct result of prescribed medicines. Common to all patients over the age of 70 are the physiological changes of ageing, leading to a gradual reduction in functional reserve in the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, hepatic, musculoskeletal and central nervous systems, as well as the skin. Drug interaction is one of the commonest causes of these admissions, along with patient and carer confusion as to the dosage sequence of several concurrent medications. Such confusion may result in an excessively high dose, particularly of psychotropic drugs. The community dietitian should be asked to survey the nutritional status of less healthy elderly patients on chronic medication and be asked about and involved in treatment planning and follow-up.
