Prescription drug abuse does not only affect our young people. Many people over the age of 65 abuse prescription drugs. 13% of the populations in the United States are persons over 65 years. These people account for approximately one third of all medications prescribed in the U.S. alone. Older patients are more likely to be prescribed long term and multiple prescriptions, which could lead to unintentional mistreatment.

Our elderly are also at a high risk for Rx abuse. They intentionally take meds that are not medically necessary. A large percentage of our seniors also take OTC drugs. Due to their high rates of combative illnesses, changes in dug metabolisms, there is the potential for drug interactions, Rx and OTC drug abuse and misuse. All this can have adverse health consequences; even more seen in the elderly population than our younger population.

Elderly people who use benzodiazepines are at an increased risk of cognitive impairment. This can lead to possible falls causing hip and thigh fractures. Also this can lead to an increased level of vehicle accidents. The good news is cognitive impairment may be reversible once these drugs have been discontinued.