Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Nearly One-Third of Older Adults With Cognitive Disorders Still Take Risky Drugs
A study found that nearly one in three older adults with cognitive disorders in the United States took at least one medication considered potentially inappropriate for them.
Researchers analyzed data on 2,796 independently living adults aged 65 and older, representing about 29.7 million Americans over the study period.
The share taking these medications fell from 39.3% in 2011 to 29.3% in 2022.
The drugs include some medicines for anxiety, insomnia and psychosis that act on the central nervous system.
In older people with cognitive disorders, they can affect memory, balance and coordination and are linked to risks including hospital stays and emergency visits.
Doctors can review medicines and, when appropriate, stop or reduce a dose or switch to a safer alternative.
The researchers say more studies are needed to learn whether better medication management can reduce health risks and improve quality of life.
Nearly one in three older adults with cognitive disorders still takes at least one potentially inappropriate medication, a study found.
The share exposed to these drugs fell from 39.3% in 2011 to 29.3% in 2022.
The analysis covered 2,796 independently living adults aged 65 and older.
The drugs include medications for anxiety, insomnia and psychosis that act on the central nervous system.
Researchers say regular medication reviews and deprescribing may help reduce risks.
- Who
- Older adults aged 65 and older with cognitive disorders.
- What
- A study found that 29.3% took at least one potentially inappropriate medication in 2022.
- When
- The analysis covered 2011 to 2022. The study was published on 4 August 2026.
- Where
- The study analyzed data from independently living adults in the United States.
- Why
- The study tracked exposure to potentially harmful medications; the reason prescribing declined was not examined.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Exposure to potentially harmful medications was 39.3%.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Exposure to potentially harmful medications had fallen to 29.3%.
- Study sample
- 2,796 independently living adults aged 65 and older
- Exposure in 2011
- 39.3%
- Exposure in 2022
- 29.3%
- Study period
- 2011 to 2022
- Study publication
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 4 August 2026
What people are saying
one-third of our target population is still exposed to these harmful medications, which isn’t good.
These drugs also act on the central nervous system, so they can be too much for older adults if inappropriately used
Sources
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