The New York Times (2/14, Span, Subscription Publication) “The New Old Age” blog reported in depth on a study published in the February issue of JAMA Psychiatry that indicates that among 65- to 80-year-old Americans, almost nine percent use benzodiazepines. The Times said that among older women, almost 11 percent take the sedative-hypnotic medications. The Times wrote that there have been decades of warnings about unhappy consequences of benzodiazepines for older users, including increased risks of fractures and falls, car crashes, and reduced cognition.
Related Links:
— “Continued Questions on Benzodiazepine Use in Older Patients,” Paula Span, New York Times, February 13, 2015.