Polypharmacy in the Homebound Population

Erin Atkinson Cook; Maria Duenas; Patricia Harris

doi:10.1016/j.cger.2022.05.008

Polypharmacy in the Homebound Population

Clin Geriatr Med. 2022 Nov;38(4):685-692. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2022.05.008. Epub 2022 Sep 13.

Authors

Erin Atkinson Cook¹, Maria Duenas², Patricia Harris³

Affiliations

¹ UCLA Division of Geriatrics, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
² UCLA Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
³ UCLA Division of Geriatrics, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: pfharris@mednet.ucla.edu.

Abstract

The number of homebound elders has risen dramatically in the past decade and was accelerated by the Sars-Cov-2 COVID-19 pandemic. These individuals generally have 5 or more chronic conditions, take 6 or more medications, and are at elevated risk for functional decline. Polypharmacy constitutes a major burden for these individuals, putting them at risk for medication nonadherence, medication errors, medication interactions, and reduced quality of life. A team-based approach may help these elders manage medications more effectively.

Keywords: Deprescribing; Home health agency; Home-based primary care; Homebound; Pharmacist; Polypharmacy; Team-based.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Deprescriptions*
Humans
Pandemics
Polypharmacy
Quality of Life
SARS-CoV-2