Serious poisonings among older adults: A study of hospitalization and mortality rates in Massachusettes 1983-85

Abstract

We analyzed poisoning-related hospitalization and mortality rates among older adults living in Massachusetts during 1983-85. While poisoning-related hospitalization rates of individuals ≥ 60 years were near the state average, death rates for men ≥ 70 years and for women over 60 were higher than those of younger individuals. Medications and carbon monoxide were commonly implicated agents in these poisoning deaths. Older adults are more vulnerable to death from a poisoning than are younger age groups.