Book Reviews/Comptes Rendus - Dollard Cormier et Johanne Trudel. Médicaments: La surconsommation chez les personnes âgées.Montréal: Éditions du Méridien, 1990, pp. 203.

Abstract

This book is an update of a previous publication entitled Pilules mirages: Essai sur la qualité de vie des aînés. Recent statistics and a specific section on psychotropic drug use have been added to the latest edition. The main force of this book resides in its psychosocial perspective which highlights the association between non-medical factors and excessive drug use among the elderly. The importance of health beliefs and aging-related stresses are emphasized. As a conclusion, the authors put forth a systemic health-model of intervention for elderly drug abusers. In spite of their rather one-sided perspective, highly critical of the medical profession, the authors offer a good introductory text on excessive drug use by the elderly within a non-medical framework. This is suitable reading material for students in gerontological or addiction courses. It is also enlightening reading for any health professionals working with the elderly.