Nursing Interventions in Elderly Drug Abuse

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, "persons 65 years of age and above comprise only 13 percent of the population, yet account for approximately one-third of all medications prescribed in the United States." Although many of these elderly patients take their medications responsibly, others abuse them. For this reason, health care workers should understand the nursing interventions for elderly drug abuse.

Identification

• As explained by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug abuse involves intentionally taking prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that are not medically necessary. Drug abuse can have severe physical, psychological and social effects, and may even be fatal if left untreated.

Risk Factors

• Elderly drug abuse might occur for a variety of reasons, and a nurse should attempt to identify the risk factors before attempting to treat the problem. For example, some elderly patients might use medications to help them cope with the changes in their lives, while others might use them in an attempt to self-treat their medical problems.

Education

• One of the primary nursing interventions for elderly drug abuse should revolve around education. The nurse should educate the elderly patient on the dangers of drug use, including side effects, drug interactions and health risks.

Encouragement

• Along with educating the elderly patient on drug abuse, the nurse should also encourage and enable him to modify his behaviors. She should suggest treatment options, refer him to a support group and recommend alternative coping strategies.

Monitoring

• If the patient is admitted to a nursing home or hospital, the nurse should carefully monitor the elderly patient's drug use. She should ensure that the patient takes only his required medication as provided by the doctor.