Medication Management Made Simple: Safety Strategies for Smart Seniors

If you are in your senior years it is quite likely that daily medication is a big deal and you may have to cope with taking various meds to cope with a multitude of maladies.

Medical issues and illnesses are a fact of life and need to be talked about and addressed, as do topics like InvoCare cremation planning. When it comes to medication management, here is a look at some smart safety strategies that should help you keep on top of taking your meds.

Managing the multiples

So many things seem to come in multiples when you are a senior and the subject is medication.

As you get older, it goes with the territory that you are going to have to contend with a number of multitude of different ailments and illnesses, most of which require multiple medications and no doubt, multiple trips to the pharmacy and your doctor.

This can soon send your brain into a bit of a tailspin as you try to remember what you need to take and when, as well as keeping up with all the other aspects associated with keeping yourself as healthy as possible in the circumstances.

The real issue to consider, is the fact that at least 40% of seniors have been known to take the wrong dosage or the wrong medication altogether, resulting in a virtual doubling of hospital admissions for medication and drug-related conditions.

It is quite clear that even if you feel like you have reasonable control over your medication management, it makes sense to employ some strategies that help it stay that way.

Clear and concise information

A good starting point with your strategy would be to create and then maintain an up-to-date medication list.

It is really important to have an accurate list of all of the medications that you are currently taking. Ensure that the pharmacy label clearly states why you are taking each specific prescription, as although you may well know each one well, this information could be vital if someone else, such as a caregiver or a paramedic in an emergency, can get accurate details about what you have been taking.

When making your list, include generic and brand names, so that there is no possibility for confusion as to what you are taking and what it is for.

Are you taking safe medications?

There are some medications, that according to the American Geriatric Society for example, have been deemed to be unsafe for the elderly.

If you have been taking certain medications for a considerable period of time without a review of your needs by a doctor, there is the chance that you might be using a medication that you may have become overly sensitive to in your senior years.

Certain sedatives are a case in point, as Valium is cited as a potential problem and should be avoided if you are suffering from certain conditions. It therefore makes sense to ask your doctor or pharmacist whether what you are taking, can still be deemed as suitable and safe, based on your current set of medical conditions.

Medication management is all about adopting some safe strategies, so that you derive the right benefit from your meds without the prospect of a mix-up or confusion, leading to a potential problem.

Leah Hutchinson is a community nurse who visits many elderly people in the community as part of her job. Leah is keen to share her tips, knowledge and ideas to help friends, family and neighbors care for an aging loved one.