Q. My sister and I were very concerned about my 73-year-old aunt and the tremendous number of medications she was on. She was in a terrible nursing home and was continually strapped in a wheelchair. She was always agitated and often spoke to people who had been dead quite awhile.
The doctors said her hallucinations were caused by a stroke and dementia. Her family was in complete denial. My sister obtained your Guide to Drugs and Older People with the Drug Safety Questionnaire.
We moved her to a different facility. Two weeks after the medicines were stopped or the doses were lowered, she has become herself again. Thanks for helping us get our wonderful aunt back!
A. We are pleased to learn of your success. Overmedication with some common drugs, such as those prescribed for overactive bladder or insomnia, can contribute to confusion, cognitive decline or even hallucinations. Our Guide to Drugs and Older People has a list of drugs that may be inappropriate for seniors along with the Drug Safety Questionnaire.
