A growing number of older adults are interested in taking fewer medications, according to a new national poll from the University of Michigan.
The findings suggest that many people aged 50 to 80 are open to the idea of “deprescribing,” a medical process where doctors carefully reduce or stop medications that may no longer be necessary.
The study highlights an important issue facing aging populations around the world. As people get older, they often develop multiple health conditions and may end up taking several prescription medications every day.
While many of these medicines are helpful and even lifesaving, taking too many medications at once can sometimes create new problems.
Researchers found that 80 percent of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 said they would be willing to stop taking one or more long-term prescription medications if their doctor recommended it.
The poll also revealed just how common medication use has become among older adults. About 82 percent of people surveyed said they regularly take at least one prescription medication. More than one in four participants said they felt they were taking too many medications.
Some participants had already tried reducing medications on their own. Nearly one in three older adults reported that they had stopped taking at least one long-term medication during the previous two years.
However, one of the most concerning findings was that many people stopped medications without medical guidance. About 35 percent of people who had discontinued a prescription medication said they did so without first talking to a healthcare professional.
Doctors warn that suddenly stopping certain medications can sometimes be dangerous. Some drugs need to be reduced slowly because the body becomes used to them over time. Abruptly stopping medications may lead to withdrawal symptoms, worsening disease, dangerous changes in blood pressure or blood sugar, or other serious complications.
Deprescribing is not simply about taking fewer pills. Instead, it is a careful medical process designed to make sure every medication a person takes is still necessary, effective, and safe.
As people age, their bodies process medications differently. Medicines that were once helpful may later become unnecessary, less effective, or more likely to cause side effects. In some cases, medications can interact with each other in harmful ways.
Taking multiple medications at the same time is sometimes called polypharmacy. Polypharmacy is very common among older adults and has been linked to increased risks of falls, confusion, dizziness, memory problems, hospitalizations, and reduced quality of life.
Researchers say carefully reviewing medications may help reduce these risks while simplifying daily routines for patients.
The poll also found that older adults expect their healthcare providers to help them manage medications more actively. More than 90 percent of participants said they expected their medications to be reviewed by a healthcare professional at least once every year.
However, studies suggest that regular medication reviews do not always happen in routine medical care.
A medication review is a process where doctors, pharmacists, or other healthcare providers carefully examine all the medications a person takes. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
During a medication review, healthcare providers look for medications that may no longer be needed, duplicate treatments, dangerous drug interactions, side effects, or medications that may no longer match a person’s health goals.
The good news is that comprehensive medication reviews are often covered by Medicare and many health insurance plans.
Experts say deprescribing can offer several important benefits when done safely. Reducing unnecessary medications may lower the risk of side effects, improve energy and mental clarity, reduce falls, simplify medication schedules, and lower healthcare costs.
For some patients, taking fewer medications may also improve independence and quality of life.
Still, experts strongly emphasize that people should never stop medications without professional guidance.
The safest first step is having an honest conversation with a healthcare provider. Patients can ask whether all their current medications are still necessary and whether a medication review might be appropriate.
If a doctor decides that a medication should be reduced or stopped, they will usually provide a careful plan. Some medications need to be tapered slowly over days, weeks, or even months to allow the body to adjust safely.
Doctors also recommend closely monitoring symptoms during the deprescribing process. Patients should pay attention to any changes in how they feel and report new symptoms immediately.
This information helps healthcare providers decide whether additional adjustments are needed or whether a medication may need to be restarted.
Researchers say the growing interest in deprescribing reflects a larger shift in healthcare toward more personalized and patient-centered treatment.
For many older adults, the goal is no longer simply adding more medications to treat every symptom. Instead, doctors and patients are increasingly focusing on balancing treatment benefits with overall quality of life, comfort, independence, and safety.
The researchers hope the findings encourage more open discussions between patients and healthcare providers about medications and long-term treatment plans.
As people live longer and medical treatments continue expanding, medication reviews and safe deprescribing may become even more important parts of healthy aging.
Experts say that asking questions about medications is not a sign of refusing treatment. Instead, it is an important part of making sure medical care remains safe, effective, and appropriate over time.
For many older adults, deprescribing may help create simpler, safer, and more manageable healthcare routines while still protecting their long-term health.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
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