- One fact that mostly surprised me from Cruikshank’s Chapter 4 in “Overmedicating Old Americans” is the statistic indicating that older adults in the United States are often prescribed multiple medications, sometimes referred to as “polypharmacy.” The idea that many seniors are regularly taking many different medications raises serious concerns This is alarming because it suggests that the healthcare system may prioritize medication as a quick fix rather than addressing the root causes of health issues or exploring alternative therapies.
- Cruikshank’s analysis of the natural changes related with aging and their impact on drug reactions is sobering to me. She highlights that as we age, our bodies undergo physiological changes such as alterations in metabolism, organ function, and body composition that can affect how medications are processed. This perspective is vital because it challenges the often-simplistic approach of prescribing medications based exclusively on medical diagnoses without considering the broader context of aging.
- What makes this conversation mostly remarkable is how it highlights the necessity for better communication between doctors and patients. Aronson critiques the medical training that influences physicians to focus heavily on scientific data while neglecting the human experience and which is crucial for effective patient care. The challenges Irina faces, combined with cultural and generational differences, resonate deeply and reflect a widespread issue where the emotional and psychological aspects of care often take a back seat.
- One important aspect of Aronson’s discussion is her focus on the ways in which physician training can lead to a depersonalization of dementia patients. She determines how medical professionals are often taught to view patients through a clinical lens, which can result in a lack of compassion and understanding of the lived experiences of those with dementia.
- What stuck out from the example to me was the focus on the significance of personalized care. Instead of just prescribing medication to address symptoms, Gabow’s mother’s treatment considered her values and preferences. This approach resonates with Cruikshank’s advocacy for alternative methods that highlight the individual rather than just their medical issues. The example shows how empowering older adults through personalized treatment plans that cater to their specific needs and situations can result in more favorable outcomes than a medication based strategy.
References:
Aronson, L. (2019). Elderhood : redefining aging, transforming medicine, reimagining life. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Cruikshank, M. (2003). Learning to be old: Gender, culture, and aging. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Devontae,
Your responses to the first two questions were good, and you raised important issues. I’m not sure polypharmacy is the result of looking for quick fixes (although she does mention that), as it is about focusing on a single diagnosis without looking at the whole patient. And I too think Cruikshank’s discussion of the impact of an aging body on how medications work is striking.
When I get to the last three questions, you are less clear about the material. The issue with Dimitri is about the impact of an over the counter medication that was missed. it really didn’t have anything to do with cultural or generational issues, at least not that I could see.
You are correct that the issue with the conference presentations on dementia was the difference between an applied and a scientific data approach. But you didn’t really discuss any of the examples from the text. She talks much more about dementia than at the conference. And you didn’t discuss how that discussion connects to your understanding of the Memory Loss Tapes.
And finally, in the last question, it seems you either didn’t read the example of Gabow or didn’t understand it. Her mother had a broken hip, and she had decided not to treat that with surgery, but rather to provide in home care and let it heal naturally. And that was after she had created the stands of care to treat broken hips in older adults. That is so much more than your discussion.
Dr P