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hardgeriatricbenzodiazepinedeprescribingsubstance usetaperingfall riskcognitive decline
A 78-year-old woman is referred to the PMHNP for evaluation of chronic benzodiazepine use. She has been taking lorazepam 1 mg three times daily for the past 12 years, originally prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder by a previous psychiatrist who has since retired. Her current primary care provider has been refilling the prescription but is concerned about cognitive effects and fall risk. The patient reports that she cannot imagine functioning without the medication and becomes anxious at the thought of reducing the dose. She experienced a fall four months ago that resulted in a wrist fracture. Her cognition has noticeably declined over the past two years per family report, and her MoCA score is 22. She also takes donepezil 10 mg, lisinopril, and calcium with vitamin D. She lives alone and has a home health aide three days per week.
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