Final answer:
The statement is false; older adults typically require lower doses of pain medication compared to younger individuals due to changes in metabolism and excretion processes that come with aging. Opioids, while powerful, have to be cautiously prescribed due to the risks of side effects and addiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that older adults may need higher or equal doses of pain medication to younger persons to control their pain is false. As individuals age, various physiological changes occur that can affect the metabolism and excretion of drugs, often leading to the necessity for lower doses to prevent toxicity. Older adults may have decreased kidney and liver function, which are critical for metabolizing and eliminating medications from the body. Therefore, healthcare providers typically start with lower doses of analgesics and narcotics for pain management in the elderly and adjust as necessary.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available at higher prescription doses, and the most powerful pain relievers are opioids. While opioids are very effective, they carry risks such as serious side effects and the potential for addiction, thus they must be used under a doctor's supervision, especially in older adults. It is important to closely monitor and adjust the dosage of pain relievers for this population to balance efficacy and safety.