Worried About Falls? 10 Medications Older Adults Should Check

Could your medications be increasing your risk of falling? Probably! That’s why geriatricians ALWAYS review medications, to help older adults prevent falls.

In this episode, geriatrician Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH, explains 10 types of medications to check if you’ve been falling, feeling unsteady, or are concerned about fall risk. You’ll learn how certain medications can affect balance, reflexes, alertness, blood pressure, and blood sugar — and why these effects can become especially important in later life.

Dr. Kernisan also explains what to do if you discover you’re taking a medication that may contribute to falls. Rather than stopping medications on your own, learn how to work with your healthcare provider to consider whether a medication can be stopped, switched to a safer alternative, or reduced to the lowest effective dose.

You’ll also get practical questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist and learn why medication review should be part of a more comprehensive approach to preventing falls.

Related resources:
How You Can Help Someone Stop Ativan
https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/how-to-stop-ativan/

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https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/for-older-adults/

#FallPrevention #MedicationSafety #OlderAdults #FallRisk #HealthyAging #Geriatrics #Deprescribing #BetterHealthWhileAging

CHAPTERS
00:00 Medications and fall prevention
02:40 Why medications matter for fall risk
04:25 3 key types of meds that cause falls
05:58 10 types of medication to review for fall prevention
23:07 Recap: 10 medication types geriatricians check for fall prevention
23:53 What to do if you take these medications
24:53 Questions to ask your healthcare provider
26:32 What else to check for fall prevention

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Disclaimer: The material on the Better Health While Aging Youtube channel, including any exchanges in the comments section, is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Kernisan may make regarding an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a physician-patient relationship between Dr. Kernisan and a caregiver, or care recipient. None of Dr. Kernisan’s website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Please see the full disclaimer for more information: https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/disclaimer/

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