Medication Use in Today's Elderly Population

Medication Use in Today's Elderly Population
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ACPE Universal Program Number: 207-000-08-002-H01-P
Release Date: February 1, 2008
Expiration Date: February 1, 2011


Description

The number and percentage of older adults (age 65 and older) in the United States continues to increase at an unprecedented rate. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this population will continue to grow, with an estimated doubling from 35 million in 2005 to 70 million in 2030, when 20 percent of Americans will be older than 65. Pharmacists must maintain competency in the care of this population through current knowledge of the unique principles of drug therapy which affect geriatric patients.

Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this activity, the pharmacist should be able to:

  1. Discuss the importance of understanding geriatric medicine by identifying problems frequently encountered in this population.
  2. Describe common physiologic changes of aging and how these principles affect medication usage in the elderly.
  3. Identify adverse drug reactions unique to the elderly and strategies for minimizing these effects.
  4. Explain the effects of overtreatment and undertreatment in the elderly population and suggest methods to overcome related barriers.
  5. Discuss principles of and strategies for improving medication adherence in the geriatric population.

Target Audience
The target audience for this activity is pharmacists.

Instructions for Participation
To receive a certificate of completion that indicates your eligibility for continuing education credit, you must:

  • Review the content of the activity.
  • Successfully complete the post-test (70% or higher).
  • You will have two (2) opportunities to successfully complete the activity.

Your statement of credit will be issued immediately upon successful completion of the post-test and submission of the evaluation.

Fee
There is no fee for this activity.

Accreditation

Pharmacists
ACPE logoNCPA is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This program will provide 2.0 contact hour (.2 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit under the number 207-000-08-002-H01-P.

 

Faculty
Jessica White, PharmD, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, and a clinical pharmacy specialist with the Baylor College of Medicine’s Geriatrics fellowship in Houston. Jeffrey Sherer, PharmD, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston, College of Pharmacy, a clinical pharmacy specialist with the Baylor College of Medicine’s Geriatrics fellowship in Houston, and a certified geriatric pharmacist.

Disclosure Declaration
It is the policy of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of their continuing education activities.

The author, sponsor, and publisher of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education program. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, precautions) and drug delivery systems are subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer's package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.

Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by NCPA of any product or manufacturer identified.

Any medications or treatment methods suggested in this CE activity should not be used by the practitioner without evaluation of their patient's condition(s) and possible contraindication(s) or danger(s) of use of any specific medication.



Software Requirements

PC
Windows 2000
Internet Explorer 5.5 or Firefox
*Adobe Acrobat Reader

MAC
Mac OS 10.2.8
Safari

*Adobe Acrobat Reader

*REQUIRED TO VIEW PRINTABLE VERSION OF CE LESSON

 

 

 

 

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