Abstract
The aging population presents a global challenge. Studies project Japan’s elderly population to reach 29.3% in 2024, the highest ratio in the world, and a corresponding increase in individuals requiring support for daily living. The number of elderly residents in nursing homes has nearly tripled over the past 20 years. Many receive pharmacotherapy for multiple chronic diseases, and approximately 60%-80% of nursing home residents take five or more medications, a condition known as polypharmacy. Polypharmacy heightens the risk of adverse drug events, medication errors, and potentially inappropriate medications. Reducing unnecessary polypharmacy is therefore a critical issue for ensuring patient safety in nursing homes. This paper focuses on pharmacotherapy in nursing homes, outlines the basic understanding required to enhance medication safety in elderly care, and introduces ongoing research conducted in this field.
