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Polypharmacy in older adults is increasing in prevalence, expensive, and potentially dangerous. Some clinicians might believe that older adults are reluctant to stop taking one or more of their medications, even when stopping is clinically advisable. Validated questionnaires about attitudes toward taking fewer medications were completed by 2000 Medicare beneficiaries who were interviewed for a U.S. national health study; most were older (age range, 65–74), white, and female. Nearly 40% of respondents took six or more medications, and nearly half rated their health as excellent or very good.
More than 90% agreed they would be willing to stop a medication if their doctor said it was possible. Two thirds wanted to reduce the number of medicines…