Psychotropic medication use in the elderly

Both medical and non medical clinicians will likely be seeing more elderly patients as the oldest of the "baby boomers" are on the cusp of retirement. In the United States, people aged 65 and over make up just 13 percent of the total population, but account for 30 percent of all prescriptions written. Changes in mental status can be drug related. For example, benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan), can cause drowsiness, confusion, prolonged sedation and memory loss. Watch for signs of [...]