NYTimes: Why Are More Older People Dying After Falls? : Shared by Tom McDermott

This article raises the question of why fall-related deaths have been rising so dramatically among elders. One likely cause may be the number and mix of drugs prescribed, with new drugs added with each visit to the doctor, but little attention to removing older prescriptions. Special attention is needed to fall-risk increasing drugs (FRIDs).  This might be a good time to review your list of 'meds' with your doctor.  Tom

Why Are More Older People Dying After Falls?

Paula Span
The New York Times
Click here for the article

Summary
Fall-related mortality among older Americans has more than tripled over the past 30 years, with more than 41,000 deaths in 2023 alone. While physical decline and environmental hazards contribute, experts increasingly suspect prescription drugs—known as FRIDs (fall risk increasing drugs)—play a major role. Older adults in the U.S. now take an average of more than four prescription drugs daily, with many regimens including medications like opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and gabapentin that can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Although some prescriptions are declining, others are on the rise, and geriatricians stress the need for “de-prescribing” and non-drug alternatives to protect seniors from devastating falls.

Quotes

• “Older adults are heavily medicated, increasingly so, and with drugs that are inappropriate for older people.” – Dr. Thomas Farley

• “It’s a bad problem that seems to be getting worse.” – Dr. Donovan Maust

• “We know a lot of these drugs can increase falls by 50 to 75 percent.” – Dr. Michael Steinman

• “Ask, ‘Do any of my medications increase the risk of falls? Is there an alternative treatment?’” – Dr. Steinman

Would you like me to also contrast U.S. prescribing patterns with Japan and Europe (as the article hints) in the summary, or keep it strictly U.S.-focused?