Studies Highlight Lifestyle Interventions Reducing Medication Burden in Older Adults

Medication adherence is crucial for achieving the full benefit of treatments, yet labeling patients as 'noncompliant' can stigmatize them and harm their relationships with healthcare providers. In older adults, inappropriate medication use remains a widespread issue, linked to adverse effects, hospitalizations, and increased healthcare costs, with billions of potentially inappropriate doses consumed annually in the U.S. Multi-component interventions that combine clinician-directed tools like electronic decision support with patient education have shown promise in reducing inappropriate prescriptions and improving medication management. Concurrently, lifestyle interventions focusing on increased physical activity and balanced nutrition have demonstrated significant improvements in physical function among older adults, addressing conditions like sarcopenia that threaten independence. Managing polypharmacy is essential, as the burden of multiple medications can lead to negative health outcomes, highlighting the importance of evaluating the necessity of each medication alongside lifestyle modifications. These integrated approaches underscore the need for comprehensive strategies combining deprescribing efforts and lifestyle changes to enhance the health and quality of life of the aging population.