Opioid Use and Las Vegas Seniors at Risk of Falls

Medication Management Services Help Reduce the Negative Impact of Opioid Use For Seniors in Las Vegas

Helping Prevent Falls and Medication Errors for Las Vegas Seniors Taken Opiates.

Lisa Rapaport with Reuters Health reported on a recent study of trauma patients in Canada where people with a recent opioid prescription were 2.4 times more likely to have been injured in a fall than other trauma patients.  Additionally, among all patients with fall-related injuries, those with recent opioid prescriptions were 58% more likely to die in the hospital than patients who were not using these painkillers.

"The effect of opiate's is similar to alcohol - your reflexes are slower and your balance is affected, which makes you more likely to fall,” said lead study author Dr. Raoul Daoust of the University of Montreal in Quebec.

Chronic pain or health problems that led to the opioid prescriptions could actually cause falls, but seniors still should consider using other pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) instead.

Doctors advise to only take opiates if other painkillers do not work.  Many patients get started on opiates after a hospital stay, and once they start they run the risk of staying on the drugs for a long period of time if the medication is not properly managed.  Patients should ask their doctors about alternatives or consider a home health agency to help monitor doses and pain management.  

BrightStar Care of Las Vegas offers home health care services to seniors including Medication Management.  Our nurse led team of caregivers help patients transition from hospital to home safely.  Recovery support at home helps patients get back on their feet sooner and safer while monitoring medication and overall health.  To find out more about BrightStar Care Medication Management and Transitional Care Services CLICK HERE