What is a goal of the Beers Criteria?

• A. Increase the number of medications prescribed to older adults
• B. Improve overall healthcare costs by maximizing drug use
• C. Reduce older adults' exposure to potentially inappropriate medications and educate clinicians and patients
• D. Limit patient access to medications to reduce costs

Answer: (C)

The Beers Criteria aims to improve safety for older adults by identifying medications that pose higher risks in this population and by educating both clinicians and patients about safer choices. Aging brings changes in how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted, which can make certain drugs more likely to cause adverse effects like confusion, dizziness, falls, and delirium. By flagging those potentially inappropriate medications and providing guidance on alternatives, the criteria help prescribers deprescribe or avoid risky meds and empower patients with knowledge about their own medications.

That’s why reducing older adults’ exposure to potentially inappropriate medications and educating clinicians and patients is the best match. The other options imply increasing drug use, maximizing costs, or restricting access for cost reasons, which don’t reflect the Beers Criteria’s focus on safety and education.