Final answer:
Older adults are indeed more vulnerable to medication-induced delirium due to their high rate of medication use, age-associated physiological changes, and increased sensitivity to drugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
True: Older adults are more vulnerable to medication-induced delirium because of their high rate of medication use. The increased vulnerability in older adults to medication-induced delirium is due to several factors, including physiological changes associated with aging that affect drug metabolism and excretion, the high rate of polypharmacy (taking multiple medications), and increased sensitivity to certain medications. Studies indicate that older adults often use more prescription medications, potentially leading to adverse drug reactions, such as delirium.
An example to illustrate this issue is antibiotics usage. Although antibiotics are used across different age groups, the varying ages can lead to different rates of antibiotic resistance. This reflects how the age of patients can influence medication effects and risks.
Additionally, factors such as bereavement due to widowhood may increase the risk of mistreatment among the elderly, however, it is not directly related to medication-induced delirium. It is important for healthcare professionals to closely monitor medication use in older adults to minimize the risk of delirium.