“Is Dad taking too many medications?”
“Mom keeps falling. Could it be the prescription drugs she’s taking?”
“My husband just hasn’t been the same since he started new medication.”
We hear things like these all the time from clients .
As the people we care about grow older, it’s natural to want doctors to “do everything they can.” Doing everything usually involves some sort of pharmaceutical solution. However, in too many cases, more medication doesn’t mean better care. In fact, adding more medications to the mix can make things worse.
Overmedication doesn’t just increase the cost of care. It can contribute to confusion, falls, fatigue, hospital visits, and a decline in quality of life. For older adults, the impact can be dramatic, and families are often the first to notice the changes.
Why Overmedication Happens
Older adults are more likely to see multiple providers. Primary care physician. Cardiologist. Neurologist. Pain specialist. Psychiatrist. The list could go on. Each clinician may prescribe medication without full visibility into what another doctor has already prescribed.
Then, there’s the way the aging body handles drugs. As we get older:
- Metabolism slows
- Kidney and liver function decline
- Drug interactions become more risky
What may be a mild sedative for a younger adult can become a fall risk for someone in their 70s or 80s.
It’s not uncommon to see someone on five, eight, or even ten medications at once, a situation known as polypharmacy. In fact, according to an article in Science Direct, between 40% and 70% of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older take five or more prescription medications regularly. While each prescription might seem reasonable in isolation, the combined effect can be harmful.
Signs Your Loved One Might Be Overmedicated
Here are some red flags caregivers should watch for:
Sudden confusion or memory changes. If your loved one seems more disoriented, forgetful, or “not themselves,” medication side effects might be part of the cause.
Frequent falls or unsteady walking. Many drugs — especially sedatives, antipsychotics, and certain sleep aids — can affect balance and coordination.
Changes in mood or behavior. Unexpected irritability, depression, or agitation can be linked to medications interacting or overwhelming the system.
Drowsiness or daytime sleepiness. When medications make someone overly tired, it can reduce their engagement and increase risk of accidents.
Repeated hospital visits. Adverse drug reactions are a leading cause of emergency visits among older adults.
If you have noticed any of these signs, trust your instincts. Family members often observe patterns that aren’t obvious in a short doctor’s appointment.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you see signs that lead you to suspect that your loved one may be overmedicated, here are four things to do.
1. Keep a Complete Medication List
Include:
- All prescriptions
- Over-the-counter drugs
- Supplements and vitamins
- Dosage, timing, and prescriber
Bring this list to every medical appointment.
If you haven’t compiled a list of your loved one’s medications, this medication list template from Lifescape Elder Care Law & Estate Planning gives you a place to start.
2. Ask for a Comprehensive Medication Review
Many providers will review medications individually, but not all will take a holistic look across all prescribers.
Ask:
- “Are any of these medications on the Beers List (medications risky for older adults)?”
“Can we deprescribe anything safely?”
A geriatrician or geriatric pharmacist can be particularly helpful.
3. Watch for Underlying Causes
Sometimes sleep issues, anxiety, or pain are signs of an untreated condition (like sleep apnea, depression, or neuropathy). Treating the root cause can eliminate the need for additional drugs.
4. Involve a Healthcare Advocate
If your loved one has a durable power of attorney for health care, that designated person can:
- Talk to doctors on their behalf
- Request medication reviews
- Access medical records
- Ensure decisions reflect the patient’s goals
If no such authority exists, your family may need legal planning to avoid confusion during a crisis.
Why Legal and Care Planning Matter
At Lifescape, we see how quickly medication concerns intersect with legal and care decisions. Without the right legal tools in place:
- Your loved one may not have someone authorized to question prescriptions.
- Family members may disagree on care strategy.
- Emergencies may leave decisions to strangers or courts.
We help families get the right plans in place early, so legal authority is clear, care decisions reflect your loved one’s values, and you’re prepared before something goes wrong.
When to Get Help
If you suspect overmedication or if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the caregiving role that’s a sign it’s time to reach out.
Our team at Lifescape Elder Care Law & Estate Planning can help you:
- Understand the legal tools that protect your loved one
- Coordinate care decisions with clarity
- Advocate for your loved one at doctor appointments
- Develop a comprehensive plan that addresses medical, legal, and financial needs
You don’t have to carry this alone.
When you’re ready for help, Lifescape is here for you. Call 816.291.4143 to schedule a family consultation.
About the Author
Charley Lewis is the Life Care Coordinator at Lifescape Elder Care Law & Estate Planning. She has nearly five decades of experience helping older adults and their families navigate the long-term care journey. She is a Certified Death Doula and a Certified Life Coach.
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