Polymedicine and aging. Enhancing older adult care through advanced practitioners. GNPs and elder care pharmacists can help provide optimal pharmaceutical care.

Approximately one third of all drugs prescribed in the United States are considered unnecessary. Polymedicine, polypharmacy, medication nonadherence, and adverse drug reactions are among the top five causes of acute care hospitalizations in persons older than age 65. These conditions significantly increase health care costs and will continue to do so at an alarming rate as America's population ages. Although medications are an important factor in improving and maintaining the quality of life for older adults, polymedicine places them at risk of an acute care admission for medication-related problems and other complications. This article reviews polymedicine and common medication errors, explores the depth of the problem in aging clients, and advocates for the use of gerontological nurse practitioners as advanced practice nurses and specialty-trained elder care pharmacists as active members of the interdisciplinary health care team.