Alleviating Drug-Induced Cognitive Impairment
While the elderly population account for approximately 12 percent of the adult population, these numbers are expected to increase in the next decade. As the baby boomer generation enters into retirement, the issues of healthcare in our society will drastically change, providing more focused care on this large demographic of adults especially for those who need a natural healing in pain perception.With the aging population expected to increase, we can also expect that specific forms of pain management healthcare services will increase in demand. With over 85 percent of the elderly population expected to experience chronic pain health complications that result in decreased mobility and quality of life, the drug manufacturers and companies that focus on pain relief can expect a significant rise in consumer demand. But, is this demand going to encourage a greater use of prescription pain relievers among the elderly?
Persistent and chronic pain among the elderly population leads to a decrease in quality of life. Because many senior adults treat pain with prescription medications, such as opioids, we can expect there will be an in increase in secondary health complications involving impaired cognitive function associated with drug induced side effects. While pain medications can impair cognitive function, the simple process of aging can impair cognitive process, and is only further compounded by risks of dementia. Unfortunately, may of these symptoms are misdiagnosed as related to pain medications and, ultimately, the quality of life will continue to deteriorate for seniors who require elder care.
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