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Pharmacy Practice, Research, Education, and Advocacy for Older Adults American College of Pharmacy
Author(s) -
Linnebur Sunny A.,
O'Connell Mary Beth,
Wessell Andrea M.,
McCord Amie D.,
Kennedy Deborah H.,
DeMaagd George,
Dent Larry A.,
Splinter Michele Y.,
Biery Joseph C.,
Chang Feng,
Jackson Rasheen C.,
Miller Shan L.,
Sterling Teresa
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.2005.25.10.1396
Subject(s) - pharmacy , medicine , geriatrics , specialty , gerontological nursing , health care , family medicine , polypharmacy , gerontology , pharmacy practice , nursing , population , clinical pharmacy , psychiatry , environmental health , economics , economic growth
In the United States, older adults have become the fastest growing segment of the population and are expected to double in number to 70 million by 2030. As a whole, older adults have different health care needs than younger patients, and some of these needs should be met by pharmacists. Clinical pharmacy practice affecting older adults occurs in a variety of settings, including community, ambulatory care, primary care, hospital, assisted living, nursing home, home health care, hospice, and Alzheimer's disease units. Although specialty training in geriatrics or gerontology is not required for pharmacists to care for older adults, it is extremely helpful. Pharmacy education related to the care of older adults has improved slightly in the past several years but will need to increase even more to provide all pharmacists with the basic skills and knowledge to care for this unique group of patients. In addition, pharmacotherapy research targeting older adults needs to increase. Although it can be challenging, funding for this type of research is available. Patient and political advocacy is also important to support this growing population.