Seniors living in their own homes on multiple prescription drugs need to learn to manage medication effectively. If they live in an assisted living facility, medicines may be administered by the staff. However, understanding their schedule can give a senior a sense of control over their own lives. If you have an aging loved one who requires several prescriptions, this is essential information to ensure that their medications are being administered properly and safely.
Avoiding Mistakes
Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, which is relatively common for a senior citizen. However, although common, taking too many drugs at the same time can prove dangerous. Research shows that 350,000 people are hospitalized each year because of adverse reactions to taking multiple medications. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many seniors get confused or lose track of what they have already taken, making the need to manage medication even greater.
As individuals get older, they are prone to take multiple supplements, vitamins, and medications for various health conditions. As a result, it is not difficult for drugs to be mixed up or forgotten, resulting in dangerous scenarios.
Not only can memory problems cause these types of errors, but other factors may play into improper management. One example is the specialization of medical care. As doctors become more vertical in the care they provide, the opportunity for miscommunication and a lack of coordination between physicians increases.
Manage Medications to Avoid These Issues
Drug Interactions: Many medications cannot be taken at the same time. Others shouldn’t be combined with specific foods. Taking any drugs improperly may result in a range of reactions, from rendering the medication ineffective to illness or death.
Health Issues: Over-medication can occur if a patient sees various doctors or has numerous health conditions. If people take more medication than necessary, it can disrupt bodily functions or lead to mental or cognitive issues.
Falls and Fractures: Poor medication management may cause brittle bones and hip fractures, increasing the chances that a senior may fall and injure themselves.
Ceasing Medication Dosage: Older adults often stop taking their prescribed medication, either because they neglect to renew their prescription or simply don’t want to take it anymore. Sadly, some must decide which medications to take based on financial challenges.
6 Tips to Manage Medication
- Review medications with your physician: Record brand names and dosages of all prescription medications – from all physicians and specialists. Make sure their primary care doctor is aware. Don’t forget to include vitamins, supplements, and OTC drugs. The doctor can then focus on any areas of concern, pinpoint vulnerabilities, and reach out to other doctors if there is a concern.
- Educate yourself about potential interactions: Reading labels and drug inserts is an excellent place to start. Bring any new medications or OTC treatments to the primary care doctor to make sure the new medicine is safe to take in conjunction with all current medications.
- Understand potential side effects: Identify possible side effects before taking a new drug, and record any changes in how you feel, including changes in sleep habits, weight, appetite, energy level, and cognitive ability.
- Ask if the medication and dosage are age-appropriate: Some medications are more effective in older people, and others are less effective. Some prescription medications may require higher dosages as we age, and others need to be less potent. Ask the physician if the drug reacts differently based on age.
- Don’t self-prescribe: You may feel that you require more of certain medication to address your symptoms. This may lead you to take a higher dosage than prescribed or supplement with OTC drugs. This practice could undermine the effectiveness of needed medications or even cause harm.
- Have a go-to pharmacy: Even if you have multiple physicians, a qualified pharmacist will be capable of identifying medication contraindications, as they have all of your records. Find someone with whom you can maintain a relationship.
If you or a loved one is looking for an adult residence in the Villages, we invite you to come to visit A Banyan Residence. We offer skilled care and compassion whether you are looking for assisted living or memory care. Call today for a tour and consultation.
