Researchers Explore Ways to Help Older Adults Taper Off and Stop Using Sedatives

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society examined ways to help older adults taper off and stop using sedatives, reports News-Medical . An earlier study determined providing older adults with an educational brochure outlining the problems posed by sedatives and instructions for taking themselves off the medication helped 27 percent of older adults stop taking them, versus 5 percent who did not receive the information. The researchers then designed their study to see whether a brochure accompanied by support from healthcare personnel at the time of hospitalization could help older at-risk adults stop taking sedatives. The study involved 62 participants who were about 79 years old. Among those who participated in the 30-day follow-up, 64 percent successfully stopped taking sedatives, which is three times the number who were able to stop before the program was launched. In addition, 94 percent of the participants who stopped taking sedatives said their sleep problems were about the same as when they were on the medication. The researchers concluded that their program was safe for hospitalized older adults, although future studies are necessary for determining whether this kind of program could help reduce adverse drug events for seniors who take multiple medications for chronic health conditions.