The way people use drugs tends to change as they age. Older adults are less likely than younger people to drink, smoke, or use illicit drugs like heroin or marijuana. On the other hand, because they are more likely to get sick or to have chronic health problems like arthritis and high blood pressure, they are more likely to use medications. This is one of the reasons that seniors are more likely to suffer from the side effects of medications. Medications can cause problems for the way people think, move, or feel.
People can get clumsy, drowsy, dizzy, forgetful, anxious or depressed.
They may have headaches, stomach upset, or trouble sleeping. When an older person has these symptoms, it s easy to assume that they are just signs of aging. It s important to know that they could be the side effects of the medications that person is taking. When you combine more than one medication, or combine medications and alcohol, the chances that you will suffer side effects are even greater. Taking a variety of medications is more likely as people get older and suffer more health problems.