Polypharmacy in the Elderly and the Role of the Dietitian
Polypharmacy in the Elderly and the Role of the Dietitian is organized by Dietitian Central.
Live Event Date: Jan 13, 2022
Expiration Date: May 31, 2024
Overview:
Polypharmacy is commonly defined as using multiple medications for one or more conditions. Typically, is it defined as taking five to ten medications. The more medications a person takes the greater the chances are of experiencing a food-drug or drug-drug interaction. According to the CDC, adverse drug events are responsible for ~1.3 million emergency department visits each year. Ensuring medications are used only when necessary, not duplicated, and taken as prescribed is critical to decrease the change of drug interactions or interference with nutrient absorption. In this webinar, you will learn what you need to know to care for elderly patients who may be experiencing the impacts of polypharmacy. You will learn the impact of pharmacotherapy on nutrition and metabolism, the role of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist working with elderly clients taking multiple medications, and how to communicate with other members of the health care team about these issues. This course will break down potential changes associated with aging like malnutrition, unintentional weight loss, and dysphagia, that can be exacerbated by polypharmacy. The financial impact of taking multiple medications will be weighed in light of limited resources and nutrient needs. Finally, you will review screening tools used with the elderly population and consider Sandy, a 78-year-old female taking 14 medications and determine what can be done to improve her health status.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this one-hour course, the participant should be able to:
• Apply knowledge of the impact of prescription and over-the-counter medications to nutrient absorption, utilization and metabolism.
• Evaluate the interrelationship and impact of pharmacotherapy on nutrient absorption.
• Identify nutrition education strategies to effectively address polypharmacy issues.
• Recommend appropriate use of vitamin and mineral supplements for specific client populations.