Image of male nurse pushing senior woman in a wheelchair in nursing facility

More seniors are taking three or more medicines that affect the brain, according to new research.

In 2004, around 0.6% of those over age 65 were taking three or more drugs such as opioids, antidepressants, tranquilizers and antipsychotics, according to data analyzed by University of Michigan researchers. By 2013, that had more than doubled to 1.4%.

That means 3.68 million physician visits a year likely involved seniors being prescribed at least three or more of the drugs, putting them at higher risk for falls. 

Results were published in JAMA Internal Medicine