If you or your aging loved one takes multiple medications every day, you’re not alone. Nearly 40 percent of older adults take five or more medications each day. However, this doesn’t come as a surprise. Between the slew of health issues that affect seniors, and advancements in healthcare, there are many great options to manage difficult symptoms. Yet juggling all of those pills every day can be harder than it sounds. When managing multiple medications for seniors, be proactive.
There are several tips from this John Hopkins Hospital article that can be helpful. Geriatric pharmacist Jessica Merrey says taking medications exactly as directed by your doctor and getting refills on time is crucial. Additionally, paying attention to side effects and interactions is important.
Tip number one is to fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy. This will not only make refilling prescriptions simpler. It will also ensure that all your medication records are in one place. Therefore, the pharmacist can review drug interactions. Ultimately they can work with your doctor to avoid potential problems that your doctor may have accidentally overlooked.
Pill dispensers are incredibly helpful for anyone. And especially seniors. By investing in a weekly pill dispenser, you or someone you trust can pre-fill your pills in the correct slots. Then, you won’t have to worry about forgetting one or even accidentally taking more than prescribed. You can even set a daily timer to go off at your scheduled “pill time”. At Arizona Elder Care, we have nurses on staff offering medication management.
Get your medications refilled before you run out. This can not be emphasized enough! Depending on the specific medication, running out and skipping doses could result in anything from headaches and nausea, to more serious complications. Many pharmacies do automatic refills, which can help this issue too.
A yearly “brown bag” review is very important for seniors to do as well. This means that once a year, toss everything you take into a bag and bring it to your check-up. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter remedies, and supplements. With age, the body breaks down and metabolizes substances differently. Your doctor may need to adjust doses or check blood levels.
Managing multiple medications for seniors can be challenging. But by following these simple tips, you can help to maintain your health and safety, or even save your life.