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Optimized Prescribing with Seniors is a joint communication of the Alberta Medical Association and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, these articles are written by physicians for physicians prescribing in the care of older patients.
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Dr. Lesley Charles, MBChB, CCFP, is a geriatric physician at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital. Her areas of clinical interest include dementia, delirium and treatment of osteoporosis. She obtained her medical education at the University of Edinburgh then completed her family medicine residence at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Charles is an associate professor with the Department of Family Medicine (Division of Care of the Elderly) at the University of Alberta. Her research interests include the Care of the Elderly Program; Decision-Making Capacity Assessment and Implementation and Sustainability Framework; Care of the Elderly Graduates Research; Developing and the Effects of Introducing Core Competencies; and Caregivers
What does the evidence say about the risks posed to patient safety in residential care homes as a result of medication errors and adverse drug events?
Harold is an 89-year-old male who lives with his 65-year-old daughter. He had a fall getting up to the bathroom one night but didn’t sustain any injury. He has been taking a sedative for many years and his daughter wonders if this is a concern.
You’ve assumed the care of an 84-year-old patient who is on nine different medications. Should you carry on with her current regimen or consider stopping some of her drugs?
Betty, an 84-year-old woman with moderate Alzheimer’s disease, lives at home with her husband. She had become quite agitated and aggressive at one time and was started on risperidone, which settled her aggression. She has been on it since and her husband wonders if she should remain on it.
Today we are introducing a new column jointly sponsored by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta and the Alberta Medical Association. Optimized Prescribing with Seniors will be a new tool to assist you as a prescribing physician in your care of your older patients.