Today's Perspective
Kristin Wiisanen, PharmD, FAPhA, FCCP, Pharmacy Today editor in chief
As the child of two aging but otherwise relatively healthy parents, I know I am blessed. About a year ago, my parents moved nearby to be closer (they are now precisely 2.2 miles away, according to my dad). Since then, I have become increasingly involved in their care and daily activities. I’m learning that caring for elderly parents is a bit like a tug of war, a push-and-pull between the sometimes-blurred lines of hovering and empowerment. I’m understanding more every day that they often need their independence and a listening ear as much as they need my direct care. As the population of older adults grows, we are all more frequently faced with this push-and-pull between not doing enough and doing too much.
This month’s Pharmacy Today cover story explores concepts of health and ageism and the pharmacist’s role in addressing this issue. Emily Peron, PharmD, an associate professor of gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University, discourages rigid, if-then thinking when seeking the cause of a new symptom or worsening condition in an older adult. Take, for example, the Beers Criteria Medication List. Peron encourages pharmacists to think of this list in context of the patient’s holistic care. In other words, she says, “It’s not a do-not-use list. It’s simply a cause for pause.” This simple step of thoughtfully considering all aspects of a patient’s care, versus simply labeling them as “an elderly patient,” can make a tremendous impact.
In this month’s issue you’ll also find the latest on immune-boosting supplements for COVID-19 (including a helpful chart), get an update on COVID-19 antivirals authorized by FDA, and learn about potential pitfalls of using Google Translate for patient counseling (there are a lot!). Update your CPE credit with this month’s article on the impact of racism, discrimination, and segregation on health disparities.
As you approach your older adult patients today, take a moment and pause. Listen. Your patient may need a new medication, deprescribing, or a drug therapy change. Or they may not need any of those things. Look at the whole picture of the person in front of you. Each individual patient has unique needs, no matter their age. Fortunately, these patients also have a pharmacist to help meet those needs. ■