An estimated 25% of Americans aged 65 and up are long-term users of opioids.*
And not too long ago the number of opioid-related hospitalizations of seniors has jumped 34%.**
We are the under-recognized demographic of the opioid crisis. For some, taking opioids is essential to living with pain. Yet opioids are killing others. And for many, using the drugs that are supposed to relieve pain can cause more problems. Something, unfortunately, I learned the hard way.
*Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2014)
**Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2010 to 2015)
An estimated 53% of all illegal use of opioids stems from prescriptions either shared or taken from family and friends. Have you checked your medicine cabinet lately?
Paul Krupski of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services studies the use and abuse of opioids, and sees emerging evidence of how opioids are adversely impacting older adults. In his presentation at 2018 Healthy Aging Summit, he discussed the latest findings on falls, opioid-related hospitalization of seniors, and how there may be better treatments for chronic pain than drugs.
For more information from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, go to https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/index.htm.
Thanks to: The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging
Find their program offerings for older adults at: wihealthyaging.org
I do understand the need to be more careful about prescribing opioids to seniors. At the same time, I am concerned that overzealousness will deprive seniors who need those drugs. During recovery from hip joint replacement surgery two years ago, a fresh out of school physician’s assistant told me I should not be taking oxycodone any longer-this was 5 days after surgery! (Fortunately, I knew better than to listen. I was not only in the early days of recovery from the surgery, I was also dealing with nerve damage pain as a result of that surgery.) I am 65 years old and I have many years of experience with my body and with pain and with what I need. I fiercely resent being treated as a drug-addict in training whenever I need pain relief stronger than what aspirin or Tylenol can provide.
Excellent Carol. Glad you gave voice to this increasingly alarming issue. Carol does talk truth. Good to hear it again.