Medicines and older people: a nurses' guide to administration.

Older people represent only 18% of the population but receive approximately 45% of all prescribed medication in the UK (Offerhaus, 1997). Problems arising from drug therapy are numerous, as medication will often act in a number of complex and even surprising ways. As the number of older people grows, it becomes increasingly necessary for nurses to recognize and understand the legal and professional issues relating to the administration of medicines. This article outlines some of the potential problems confronting the nursing profession and offers some practical solutions to common dilemmas.