Medication management for seniors:
The importance of good medication management for seniors can not be emphasized too strongly. Seniors often take multiple medications to treat different conditions. We’ve gotten used to the idea that seniors will need to take a variety of medications as they age, but this can potentially cause serious health threats. Over-medication and dangerous drug interactions are two of the most common problems. Here we offer some tips to ensure medication safety for the elderly. 
- Always keep an accurate and up-to-date list of all medications you are taking, including dosages and instructions for taking it. Take this list to all doctor appointments, along with the names of any over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements you are taking. It’s important that your health care provider has a complete and accurate picture of what you are taking.
- Check with your provider to see whether the dosage is age appropriate. The way our bodies metabolize drugs can change as we get older. Seniors can be more sensitive to some drugs, and less sensitive to others. Some seniors can also experience adverse side effects.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the combination of medicines you are taking, about possible side effects, about taking the medications correctly, or any other questions you may have.
- Be educated about the side effect profile of your medications. Stay alert to any health changes that can occur in response to taking a new medication. Because some side effects can mimic other health conditions, it’s important to talk to your provider about any changes in your health.
- Let your provider know about any adverse drug effects you’ve had in the past.
- Make sure you are taking medications correctly. Use strategies like pill organizers, pill dispensers, medication reminders, and so on, to ensure that medications are taken on schedule.
- Minimize the number of doctors and pharmacies you use to keep your coordination of care as simple as possible.
At Dyer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, we take medication management seriously. When you or a loved one are in our care, you can rest assured that we are on top of all medications, their administration, and the possible interactions.