Section - Video Lectures

01. Trends in Psychotropic Medication Use Among Older Adults

Published on November 4, 2025 Certification expiration date: November 4, 2028

Lauren B. Gerlach, D.O., M.S.

Health Services Researcher - University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry

Key Points

About 20% of older adults are prescribed psychiatric medications, with most prescriptions coming from primary care providers.
Central nervous system active polypharmacy (≥3 CNS medications) has more than doubled among older adults.
Consider the Beers Criteria when prescribing to identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults.

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Slides and Transcript

Slide 1 of 8

Hello everyone! My name is Lauren Gerlach, and I’m a geriatric psychiatrist and health services researcher at the University of Michigan, and I’m looking forward to talking about Updates on Geriatric Psychopharmacology. So in our first section here, we’ll be talking about trends in psychotropic medication use among older adults.

Trends in Psychotropic Medication Use Among Older Adults Slide 1 of 8

Slide 2 of 8

Very early in my training, I was really struck how the medications we prescribe in Psychiatry can both help and sometimes cause challenges for our patients. And I’ll ask you to spend some time and think a little bit about what are some of the aspects or things that can make prescribing in older adults a little bit more challenging as compared to younger cohorts.

Trends in Psychotropic Medication Use Among Older Adults Slide 2 of 8

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Next Section

02. Age-Related Pharmacological Changes: Considerations for Older Adults

Learning Objectives:
After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Analyze prescribing patterns and identify potentially inappropriate psychotropic medications in older adults using evidence-based criteria.
Apply geriatric-specific prescribing principles across major psychotropic medication classes, including appropriate starting doses, titration strategies, and monitoring for age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes.
Evaluate the risks and benefits of psychotropic medications in older adults with dementia.

Original Release Date: November 04, 2025
Expiration Date: November 04, 2028

Faculty: Lauren B. Gerlach, D.O., M.S.
Medical Editor: Tomás Abudarham, M.D.

Relevant Financial Disclosures:
None of the faculty, planners, and reviewers for this educational activity has relevant financial relationships to disclose during the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@ml-prod.psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:
Participants must complete the activity online within the valid credit period noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Complete the Post-Activity Evaluation to provide the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use DisclosureArtificial intelligence (AI) tools may have been used in limited stages of developing this activity (e.g., drafting or language refinement). The specific tool, version, and date of use are documented internally.AI does not determine clinical recommendations. All content is reviewed, verified, and approved by the listed faculty and medical editors, and reflects independent human clinical judgment consistent with ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.

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