Abstract
This case study is designed to highlight the overlooked issue of polypharmacy in the aging population and to emphasize the importance of a biopsychosocial model of health. Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications by an individual, is a growing concern and can cause significant complications, such as drug toxicity, falls, and non-adherence. The case tells the story of “Lily,” an older woman with a history of multiple morbidities who has difficulty managing multiple pill bottles and navigating the healthcare system. Students are tasked with examining her medical records and prescriptions to learn why older adults are at an increased risk of polypharmacy, how healthcare systems can contribute to and address polypharmacy, and how biological aging impacts pharmacokinetics. Students also build empathy as they make associations with personal experiences and learn about Lily’s difficulties. Originally written for an undergraduate course related to aging health and biology, this interdisciplinary case study can easily be modified for a variety of course levels and contexts, including pharmacology, biology of aging, gerontology, healthcare systems and policy, psychology, and social sciences.

