Many people have to take multiple medications day in, day out. Older adults, in particular, often take multiple medications, but younger people can also experience this as they battle their health problems. This "polypharmacy" often impacts quality of life. Within the framework of the new "Arega Chair in Quality of Life and Care for Patients with Polypharmacy," the University of Antwerp aims to address this problem.
Polypharmacy is defined as someone chronically taking five or more different medications. Many people find themselves in this situation. Polypharmacy occurs in about a quarter of people between the ages of 65 and 75. Among seniors over 80 living at home, this figure rises to 58%. In this group, 9% even take ten or more medications. Taking these medications can be crucial for maintaining or improving health as much as possible, thus enhancing quality of life. However, when multiple medications are used simultaneously and for extended periods, this is not always easy for the patient.
Chair holder : Prof. Dr. Tinne Dilles
Faculty : Medicine and Health Sciences
Active : since 2020
Partner : Arega
