Considerations for geriatric patients with COPD

As patients age, they are predisposed to certain disease states such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Physiologic changes that occur during aging as well as guidelines for treatment must be considered in providing pharmaceutical care for older adults. Preferred treatment options have special considerations in the aging population because of the inability to use certain inhaler devices and medications appropriately. This paper reviews physiologic changes in geriatric adults, COPD treatment, medications that should be avoided in this population, and special considerations for geriatric patients with COPD.