Margaret thought she was doing everything right. At 72, she faithfully took her seven daily medications, trusted her doctors completely, and avoided “unnecessary” medical visits to save money. Yet she looked and felt decades older than her best friend Janet, who seemed to defy aging entirely. The devastating truth? Margaret was unknowingly making critical healthcare mistakes that were accelerating her aging process faster than genetics ever could.

Medical researchers have identified seven specific healthcare errors that literally steal years from your life, and the third mistake is so common that over 60% of seniors make it daily. These aren’t complex medical mysteries requiring advanced degrees to understand. They are simple, fixable problems that separate vibrant 80-year-olds from those who struggle at 65. Margaret discovered these mistakes six months ago and began reversing them immediately. What if the same knowledge could add healthy, active years to your life? The science backed solutions are surprisingly straightforward.

1. Taking Too Many Medications Without Regular Reviews (Polypharmacy)

By age 60, most Americans take at least one prescription medication, with polypharmacy (taking multiple prescriptions) raising the risk of overmedication, especially in older people who process drugs differently than younger adults. Polypharmacy in Adults 60 and Older | Johns Hopkins Medicine Taking five or more medications significantly increases the risk of adverse medical outcomes, with each additional medication raising fall risk regardless of medication type.

Polypharmacy: Evaluating Risks and Deprescribing | AAFP One of the most dangerous risks is oversedation, which causes drowsiness, confusion, and dramatically increases household and car accident risks in adults over 60. Polypharmacy in Adults 60 and Older | Johns Hopkins Medicine Inappropriate polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse drug effects, harmful drug interactions, falls, cognitive impairment, and drug-disease interactions where one medication worsens another condition. The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults | National Institute on Aging Polypharmacy has strong associations with increasing emergency care visits, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs in older adults. Polypharmacy Management in Older Patients – Mayo Clinic Proceedings A “prescription cascade” often occurs when patients are prescribed medications to offset side effects caused by other drugs, compounding polypharmacy risks exponentially. Polypharmacy in Adults 60 and Older | Johns Hopkins Medicine

3 Practical Tips:

• Schedule annual medication reviews with your pharmacist – They can identify dangerous interactions and unnecessary duplications your doctors might miss
• Bring all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, to every doctor visit – Many seniors take products that interact dangerously with prescriptions
• Question every medication’s necessity – Ask “What happens if I stop this?” and “Is this still needed for my current health status?”

2. Skipping Annual Preventive Screenings After Age 65.

More than half of adults 65 years and older are not up to date with preventive services doctors recommend, which is dangerous because diseases and conditions may not be found in time for effective treatment. Preventive Health Care For Seniors | familydoctor.org Although cancer is the second leading cause of death in patients 65 and older, a survival benefit from cancer screening is only seen when life expectancy exceeds five years. Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care | AAFP Vulnerable older adults over age 75 with functional impairment receive only about half of currently recommended preventive care services, with widely varying guideline adherence among primary care practices.

Screening and Preventive Services for Older Adults – PMC The leading causes of death among older adults (heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory disease) mirror preventable causes that can be detected early through proper screening. Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care | AAFP There is wide geographic variability in preventive service utilization among Medicare recipients, with both under and overutilization of screening for many specific disease states. Screening and Preventive Services for Older Adults – PMC Many seniors skip these services due to cost concerns, even though most insurance and Medicare plans cover all preventive service costs. Preventive Health Care For Seniors | familydoctor.org

3 Practical Tips:

• Schedule your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit every year – It’s free and covers most essential screenings in one comprehensive appointment
• Keep a personal health screening calendar – Track when you last had each test (mammogram, colonoscopy, bone density) to avoid missing important deadlines
• Ask about age-appropriate screening modifications – Some tests may need different frequencies or may no longer be necessary based on your health status and life expectancy

3. Ignoring Mental Health and Depression Symptoms.

About 1 in 20 Americans ages 60 and older have depression (the lowest rate of any age group), but many depressed seniors don’t get diagnosed because symptoms are dismissed as natural reactions to illness and life setbacks. Surprising Health Challenges of Aging Older persons who suffer decrements in function and lose spouses and friends experience depressive symptoms that they and health professionals commonly view as part of the aging process itself.

The Health of Aging Populations – Preparing for an Aging World – NCBI Bookshelf Depression among the elderly is common in primary care practice, but doctors caring for this population tend to be skeptical of psychologically oriented assessment tools. The Health of Aging Populations – Preparing for an Aging World – NCBI Bookshelf Social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher risk of dementia and other serious health problems in older adults, while positive social relationships help people live longer, healthier lives. Social Determinants of Health and Older Adults | odphp.health.gov Many more older Americans have subsyndromal depression, feeling less pleasure or interest in activities but not meeting full criteria for major depression. Surprising Health Challenges of Aging Mental conditions among elders are often associated with important medical illnesses but receive lower priority in clinical diagnosis and treatment. The Health of Aging Populations – Preparing for an Aging World – NCBI Bookshelf

3 Practical Tips:

• Take depression symptoms seriously for weeks or months – Don’t dismiss persistent sadness, loss of interest, or social withdrawal as “normal aging”
• Ask your primary care doctor about mental health screening tools – Request formal depression assessments rather than relying on casual conversations about mood
• Build and maintain social connections actively – Join community groups, volunteer, or participate in senior center activities to combat isolation

4. Not Managing Multiple Chronic Conditions Properly

Nearly 95% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 80% have two or more, with chronic diseases limiting ability to perform daily activities and potentially causing loss of independence. Get the Facts on Healthy Aging Sixty-two percent of Americans over 65 have more than one chronic condition, and the prevalence of multiple chronic conditions is increasing due to aging populations and rising diabetes rates.

Age-Related Diseases and Clinical and Public Health Implications for the 85 Years Old and Over Population – PMC Adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) often take several medications simultaneously, creating safety concerns when conditions aren’t properly coordinated. The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults | National Institute on Aging Older adults with multiple chronic conditions account for a large percentage of health spending, making targeted research and quality improvement essential for better care and reduced costs. Age-Related Diseases and Clinical and Public Health Implications for the 85 Years Old and Over Population – PMC Patients with respiratory problems, type 2 diabetes, and existing coronary heart disease commonly take six to nine medications to reduce long-term complication risks. Polypharmacy and Drug Adherence in Elderly Patients Chronic diseases can result in the need for institutional care, in-home caregivers, or other long-term services and supports when not properly managed. Get the Facts on Healthy Aging

3 Practical Tips:

• Create a master health summary document – List all conditions, medications, specialists, and recent test results to share with every healthcare provider
• Designate one primary care physician as your “health quarterback” – Have them coordinate care between specialists and review how treatments for different conditions interact
• Learn how your conditions affect each other – Understand how diabetes impacts heart disease, or how arthritis medications might affect kidney function

5. Following Outdated or Inappropriate Medical Advice.

Some patients continue taking medications prescribed years earlier for conditions when they are no longer necessary, creating unnecessary health risks and costs. Polypharmacy in Adults 60 and Older | Johns Hopkins Medicine Cancer screening decisions should consider life expectancy, functionality, and comorbidities, as survival benefits are not seen unless life expectancy exceeds five years. Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care | AAFP Cholinesterase inhibitors for dementia have no proven benefit beyond one year, and discontinuation should be considered if perceived benefits aren’t achieved within the first three months.

Polypharmacy Management in Older Patients – Mayo Clinic Proceedings For patients over 70, aggressive statin therapy recommendations may not provide added benefit if life expectancy is less than six months due to frailty considerations. Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care | AAFP The goal of deprescribing is to reduce or stop medications that are potentially inappropriate, unnecessary, or unlikely to help while potentially being harmful. The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults | National Institute on Aging Best practices for reducing high-risk medications include education about risks and obtaining agreement from patients, families, advocates, and care teams before making changes. Polypharmacy Management in Older Patients – Mayo Clinic Proceedings

3 Practical Tips:

• Request an annual “treatment appropriateness review” – Ask your doctor to evaluate whether each medication and treatment still matches your current health goals and life expectancy
• Question long-term prescriptions from years ago – Many medications prescribed for temporary conditions continue unnecessarily, especially those for sleep, anxiety, or pain
• Seek geriatric-trained physicians for complex decisions – They understand when aggressive treatments may cause more harm than benefit in older adults

6. Neglecting Geriatric-Specific Health Assessments

Adherence to national guidelines for screening and prevention for older adults is particularly poor for geriatric syndromes such as urinary incontinence screening and falls risk assessment. Screening and Preventive Services for Older Adults – PMC Older age is characterized by the emergence of complex health states called geriatric syndromes, often consequences of multiple underlying factors including frailty, urinary incontinence, falls, delirium, and pressure ulcers. Ageing and health A validated four-year mortality index incorporates age, sex, self-reported behaviors, comorbid conditions, and functional measures to help predict who will benefit most from specific interventions.

Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care | AAFP Some hearing and vision loss are part of normal aging, as is decline in immune function, but these require different assessment approaches than standard adult care. Age-Related Diseases and Clinical and Public Health Implications for the 85 Years Old and Over Population – PMC The USPSTF Geriatrics Task Force is developing specific evidence-based guidelines for geriatric conditions that affect quality of life, starting with falls prevention approaches. Screening and Preventive Services for Older Adults – PMC Preventive health care decisions become more complex as populations age, requiring considerations of functional status, comorbidities, and life expectancy that standard protocols don’t address. Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care | AAFP

3 Practical Tips:

• Request comprehensive geriatric assessments – These evaluate cognitive function, fall risk, nutrition status, and functional independence that regular physicals miss
• Ask for falls risk evaluation annually – This includes balance testing, medication review, and home safety assessment specific to aging bodies
• Insist on functional status monitoring – Track your ability to perform daily activities like bathing, dressing, and managing medications as key health indicators

7. Poor Communication Between Multiple Healthcare Providers.

Patient-related factors leading to polypharmacy include having multiple medical conditions managed by multiple subspecialist physicians, with systems-level factors including poorly updated medical records. Polypharmacy: Evaluating Risks and Deprescribing | AAFP Poor patient knowledge of medications may lead to duplicate or unnecessary medications being prescribed by physicians who don’t have access to current or previous medication lists, particularly problematic as patients move between primary and secondary care.

Polypharmacy in the elderly – Anna Cantlay, Tessa Glyn, Natalia Barton, 2016 An average of five to seven medication changes are made during hospitalization of older adults, increasing the risk of prescribing errors and adverse drug events when providers don’t communicate effectively. Medication | health.vic.gov.au When new drugs are tested before market approval, test subjects may not include older adults, so age-related differences aren’t identified, making provider communication about patient responses crucial. Polypharmacy in Adults 60 and Older | Johns Hopkins Medicine Taking multiple medications increases the risk of medication errors due to difficulty in getting accurate medication history and review across different healthcare settings. Medication | health.vic.gov.au The health care system is unprepared for the complexity of caring for heterogeneous older adult populations, a problem magnified by poor coordination between providers. Actualizing Better Health And Health Care For Older Adults | Health Affairs Journal

3 Practical Tips:

• Maintain an updated medication and provider list – Carry a current list of all medications, doses, specialists, and recent procedures to every medical appointment
• Ask each provider to document care plans in shared medical records – Ensure specialists send notes to your primary care physician about treatment changes and recommendations
• Schedule a “care coordination meeting” annually – Bring together your primary doctor and key specialists to review your overall treatment plan and identify conflicts

General Tips

Schedule annual medication reviews with your pharmacist – Identify dangerous interactions and unnecessary prescriptions that accelerate aging

Never skip your free Medicare Annual Wellness Visit – Early detection through preventive screenings can add years to your life.

Take mental health symptoms as seriously as physical ones – Untreated depression accelerates cognitive decline and physical aging.

Designate one primary care physician as your “health quarterback” – Proper coordination prevents dangerous treatment conflicts between multiple conditions.

Carry an updated medication and provider list to every appointment – Clear communication between healthcare providers prevents life-threatening errors and missed diagnoses.

Final Thought

The most shocking truth about accelerated aging isn’t what you’re doing wrong with diet or exercise—it’s the silent health care mistakes that are literally stealing years from your life while you think you’re being responsible. More than half of adults over 65 are making critical errors with preventive care and medication management, yet these same mistakes are completely preventable with simple awareness and action. FamilydoctorHopkinsmedicine Every month you delay addressing polypharmacy, skip mental health screenings, or allow fragmented care between providers, you’re not just risking your health—you’re accelerating your biological clock in ways that compound exponentially over time. The research is crystal clear: nearly 95% of older adults have chronic conditions, but those who avoid these seven mistakes live longer, healthier, and more independent lives than their peers. NcoaAafp Your healthcare system won’t automatically protect you from these aging accelerators—you must become your own advocate and take control of these critical decisions. The 70-year-olds who look and feel 50 aren’t lucky—they simply stopped making these common but devastating health care mistakes before it was too late.