Call Us Today ( 203)433-4325
Call Us Today ( 203)433-4325
Many older adults take several prescriptions to handle ongoing health issues such as hypertension, heart disease, or joint pain. While these drugs provide benefits, using too many—known as polypharmacy—can increase chances of harmful side effects, dangerous interactions, unexpected falls, confusion, hospital visits, and a lower overall sense of well-being. Seniors can help protect themselves by staying vigilant, maintaining good records, and partnering closely with their medical team to ensure treatments remain appropriate and minimal.
With age, the body handles medications more slowly because of reduced kidney and liver efficiency, along with shifts in body weight and fluid balance. This makes seniors more vulnerable to unwanted reactions from excessive or unsuitable prescriptions. Side effects might appear as new problems, prompting additional drugs in a cycle called the prescribing cascade. Resources like the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria highlight drugs that often pose higher risks for people 65+, including some sleep aids, muscle relaxants, certain blood pressure medicines, and long-term use of specific pain relievers or diabetes treatments.
Compile a detailed overview of every item ingested regularly, covering:
Note each one's generic/brand name, strength, how often it's taken, purpose, and who recommended it. Refresh this record following any medical appointment, hospital discharge, or change in regimen. Keep a printed copy handy or store it digitally on a phone for quick reference during visits. Doing so helps spot redundancies, uncover conflicts, and supports informed discussions with providers.
Aim to have your full drug regimen evaluated at minimum annually, and more often after incidents like a fall, emergency room stay, or fresh diagnosis. Carry all current bottles to the visit for a thorough inspection, sometimes called a "brown bag" session. Pose targeted questions to your physician or pharmacist, such as:
Pharmacists excel at detecting potential clashes, while specialists in aging medicine offer extra insight for complicated situations.
Relying on one consistent pharmacy lets the staff monitor your entire profile, catch possible problems early, and deliver reliable guidance. This unified system cuts down on errors that arise when prescriptions come from scattered locations.
Take an active role in treatment choices. For any newly suggested medication, inquire:
Avoid altering or halting any drug on your own, but share worries about excessive pills, bothersome effects, or feeling overly sedated.
Pay attention to changes like unsteadiness, mental fog, excessive sleepiness, unusual tiredness, frequent stumbling, reduced eating, or fresh complaints that might trace back to current drugs. Bring these observations to your healthcare team quickly, as they could signal the need for adjustments or removal of certain items.
Whenever feasible, simplify schedules. Employ weekly pill sorters, tie doses to habitual activities like meals, or rely on app alerts. Keep supplies in a stable, moisture-free spot away from heat, and responsibly discard outdated items via community collection events or pharmacy services.
Through consistent education, careful tracking, and strong dialogue, older individuals can markedly decrease the hazards tied to taking too many medications. Collaborating with physicians, pharmacists, and loved ones helps guarantee that every prescription truly enhances health, independence, and daily enjoyment. Focus on what truly counts: staying safe, active, and feeling your best.
Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of seniors who wish to retain their independence in the comfort of their home. We strive to bring peace of mind to our seniors, as well as their families. We are committed to providing affordable, trustworthy, and personalized care.
© Compassionate Care. All right reserved
Website By: WebDuck Designs