Experts call for evidence-based therapies for the elderly

Old people are often treated with inappropriate medications
Due to the high medical standards it is no longer an exception that many people are getting very old. Around four and a half million people are 80 and older - and the number is still rising. Old patients often differ physically, mentally, and in their circumstances from younger patients. Experts from the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina emphasize in a recent communication that evidence-based knowledge about how older people could be treated with multiple diseases is missing. There are major differences in therapy and treatment goals, depending on the patient population concerned. According to the experts, the deviations can be cultural, economic or biographical, for example. There are three approaches to improving care: research, care practice and education and training.
Older people should be more involved in drug trials
In the area of ​​research, academies recommend that older people with multiple diseases increasingly be included in drug trials. Scientific studies should take into account patients' living conditions, older people have different needs and they should be particularly involved. For very elderly patients, certain issues are important for maintaining the quality of life. Listening, seeing and mobility are the prerequisites for self-employment and participation in social life, the researchers report.

Seniors should be increasingly included in medical studies. (Image: Syda Productions / fotolia.com)

Lack of studies to maintain the independence and interactions of drugs taken in parallel
It is important to note the interactions of drugs taken in parallel, according to the statement of the Academy. In this area, therefore, should be researched more intensively. In addition, the company must think more about ways to sell drugs easily again. Another important research topic is the preservation of independence through technical aids, housing adaptation and telemedicine. In the area, according to the researchers, studies with larger control groups and case numbers are lacking.

It is important to create care concepts for chronic and multiple patients
The academies recommend developing targeted care models for chronically and multiply ill elderly people. Further urgent need for improvement exists in the transfer management and the information flow. There is a lot to be optimized between hospitals and GP surgeries to enable better, problem-free transitions. Hospitals should make an assessment of their physical, mental and social situation right at the time of admission. This would avoid over-, under- and misuse. Also in nursing homes, the experts believe improvements and changes should be made. So residents and healthcare providers should communicate early on health goals and the design of the last years of life. It is important, after a temporary home stay, to facilitate a return to the home environment and to make it as problem-free as possible.

Basic knowledge of geriatric medicine essential for all medical disciplines
The National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina advocates education and training in geriatric basic knowledge for all medical disciplines and health professions. In addition, the method training should be improved, only so evidence-based therapies and care concepts for older patients can be created and developed, the researchers explain. The study design should be revised and adapted. It is recommended by the academies as a first step to set up a chair that combines clinical, biostatistical and geriatric expertise. (As)