Page 17 - Healthcare News 2021 Senior Planning Guide

Dose of Caution
Nine Tips for Medication Management for Seniors By KARA JAMES
In general, as we age, our need for a variety of medications increases. This includes everything from prescriptions to over-the-counter medications,
as well as vitamins and supplements. Unfortunately, as the number of remedies we take increases, so too does the difficulty in managing them, which can lead to problems such as potential interactions and missed doses. Here, we offer nine tips to help.
1. Check for interactions. Talk to your pharmacist and let them know about all the medications you are taking, including natural remedies and over-the- counter products. They can let you know in advance about any potential for interactions that could have serious health consequences.
2. Make a written schedule. It’s important to take medications as prescribed so they work effectively. Write down which medications you need to take, and at what time of day (morning, noon, evening, bedtime, etc.). Be sure to include any important reminders,
such as if you are supposed to take the medication with food or on an empty stomach. Keep this schedule in a visible place. Use an alarm to set reminders, if necessary, to stay on schedule.
3. Pre-sort medications weekly. A pill organizer makes it easy for you to see what medications you need to take and when, and also lets you easily see if you already took a dose so you don’t accidentally
take it twice. Louis & Clark’s MediBubble medication- management system does this for you with monthly pill-pack organizers.
4. Create a comprehensive list. Make a list of all
your medications and supplements and keep it on your phone or in your wallet for easy reference should you need it at a doctor’s office or a hospital. Be sure to include:
• The name of each prescription medication, over- the-counter medication, vitamin, and supplement you take;
• How often each item is taken;
• The dosage of each item;
• The healthcare provider who prescribed each
medication;
• The purpose of each and/or the symptoms it is
meant to treat; and
• Whether each item is for short-term or long-term
use.
5. Store medications appropriately. Many people
store their medications in the bathroom, but heat and humidity can cause medications to degrade. They should be kept in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children
6. Ensure accessibility. Some may struggle opening childproof bottles, so make sure you can actually access the medications you need to take. If you
must put them in another container, make sure the
“Talk to your
pharmacist
and let
them know
about all the
medications
you are
taking,
including natural remedies and over-the-counter products.”
Medication
Continued on page 19
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