Older adults should be cautious about their medications. They may take one or several different types, and each of those may have side effects that impact their daily lives.
According to many medical experts, people’s physiology changes as they age, and it’s more likely to see medicines cause harmful effects. Whether someone is in their 60s, 70s, or beyond, it’s essential to be sure that the vitamins, medications, and supplements the person is taking have no dangerous interactions. It’s also critical to make sure they are not harmful to the person’s health due to changing medical conditions and the aging process. To learn how to use medications safely, please reach out to SeniorSmart today at 205.460.1124.
What Are Some Safety Tips Seniors Can Follow?
Whether a senior is on a single medication or several, it’s critical to be safe as they’re taking them, particularly during the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, seniors need to try to practice the following safety tips to ensure their general safety.
1. Take Medicine as Prescribed
The first thing seniors can do to make taking medications safer is to take those medications as prescribed. Taking too much or too little of a prescription can have devastating consequences for the body.
2. Review Medications with a Medical Professional
Before a senior takes medications of any kind, they should speak with a medical professional about everything they currently use. This classification includes vitamins, supplements, and holistic remedies.
A medical provider will want to look through every medication a patient is taking, including supplements and vitamins. The doctor may also ask about their diet because some medicines may interact with foods like alcohol or grapefruit.
As a senior’s health improves or worsens, the medical provider may need to adjust the medications to adapt them to their changing needs. At this time, seniors should be clear about any side effects they’ve experienced and how they feel when they’re using the medications they currently take.
3. Be Aware of Interactions
Drug interactions happen when two or more medications mix and affect how the other drugs work. Different interactions exist, such as interactions with vitamins and supplements, interactions with alcohol or foods, or interactions with a specific medical condition.
If someone is concerned about interactions, they should speak with their doctor and pharmacist. Both should provide more information on potential interactions and if they’re severe enough to avoid taking a specific medication that may be helpful in other ways.
4. Keep a List
The next thing to do is to keep a list of medications. This list should go with the individual anywhere they go, especially during the current medical climate. For example, if they’ll be seeing a nurse or doctor, they should have this list on-hand to give to the health care worker. If they are injured, and an ambulance is necessary, having that list on-hand will help the medical team decide the right treatments without interactions.
On this list, make sure to include:
- The drug’s name, both brand and generic if possible
- The dosage that the person normally takes
- Why the doctor has prescribed the medication
- How often the person takes the drug
Having this list available will make it much easier for medical teams and doctors to do their jobs.
Contact SeniorSmart to Learn More about Medication Safety Tips
Medicare part D covers a range of prescription medications, including those that treat HIV or cancer. Furthermore, most immunosuppressant medications and vaccines are covered by Medicare part B. For those who have questions about whether their medicare plan covers their medication, they can contact their doctor or sign up for the concierge membership services.
At SeniorSmart, we focus on bringing seniors and their families the most up-to-date information about medications, senior care, and more using our concierge membership services. We also offer information on subjects such as:
To learn more about medication safety tips or other senior concerns, please call us today at 205.460.1124 or sign up for our comprehensive concierge membership services.
