Lesson Summary

Engage, a program within Georgia Gear, is dedicated to improving clinical care and quality of life for older adults and their families. It is spearheaded by a team of clinician-educators and backed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program focuses on tackling polypharmacy issues in elderly individuals, promoting proper medication use through collaborative efforts.

• Supported by an interdisciplinary team of clinician-educators
• Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Emphasizes appropriate medication use for older individuals
• Provides resources and guidelines for effective medication management
• Promotes collaboration among healthcare professionals, patients, families, and communities

The content delves into the intricacies of polypharmacy, stressing the need for medication optimization and deprescribing in older adults. It includes insights on geriatric syndromes, age-friendly care, and risks linked with polypharmacy, offering various definitions and statistics related to screening, assessment, and treatment in this demographic. A screening tool called the Medication Appropriateness Index is introduced for evaluating medication use in older adults.

• Discusses factors contributing to polypharmacy
• Highlights the importance of medication optimization and deprescribing
• Addresses risks of polypharmacy and age-related care
• Presents statistics on polypharmacy prevalence and associated risk factors
• Introduces the Medication Appropriateness Index for assessment

The text also introduces the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria to identify inappropriate medications for older adults. It underscores considering various factors like kidney function and specific diseases when prescribing drugs. Various tools and protocols for assessing polypharmacy, including the Polypharmacy Assessment Tool, and the significance of deprescribing are discussed in detail.

• Uses the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria
• Examines tools and protocols for assessing polypharmacy
• Stresses the importance of deprescribing and medication list optimization

A case study featuring a patient, Mrs. Herrin, is presented to illustrate the impact of deprescribing and the necessity for age-friendly care tailored to patient preferences. Clinical recommendations and guidelines for managing polypharmacy in older adults are shared, emphasizing shared decision-making and comprehensive medication reviews.

• Case study of patient Mrs. Herrin to demonstrate deprescribing impact
• Guidelines for evaluating and managing polypharmacy in older adults
• Importance of shared decision-making and thorough medication reviews

Ultimately, the text advocates for addressing polypharmacy through appropriate assessment, management, and deprescribing practices to optimize medication utilization in the older adult population.