Medication Safety Tips for Seniors

While medications have been designed to help you cope with the effects of ageing, taking multiple prescriptions at the same time can lead to adverse drug reactions and potential dangers. Hence it is important to keep an eye on your medications so these situations can be avoided. Here are some tips to keep in mind while consuming more than one type of medication.

• Set reminders

If you forget to take your daily medicine, it can affect the way in your body works and can also make you more vulnerable to becoming ill. You can set an alarm, a reminder or have a friend or family member remind you. You can also leave yourself a note or organize a reminder system on your calendar. This will help you keep track of your prescription refill dates and also get into the habit of taking your medicines on time every day.

• Pre-sort your pills

If you have multiple medicines you have to take throughout the day, there are organized containers you can purchase from any local pharmacy. This helps you sort out the pills for every day of the week. With the days being labelled, you can place all the pills in one place so you don’t forget to take one. And in case you do forget, it will be easy for you to notice.

• Schedule frequent appointments

Our body’s needs are constantly changing. So it makes sense that your healthcare needs keep changing as well. Your symptoms can alter over time which could mean that you may have to change your medications. There may even come a time where a medicine stops working after prolonged use because your body has built a resistance to it and you will need an alternative. It’s also important to frequently visit your doctor; it will help you address any issues and keep your medication list updated.

• Watch for any side effects

It is important to be attentive to side effects that a medicine may cause if you have recently changed your medication or the routine. You should pay attention to any minor or major signs of weakness, dizziness, pain, lack of sleep or an upset stomach. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any such signs. They will be able to diagnose what’s causing the problem and take measures accordingly.

• Arrange for pick-up or delivery

It’s difficult remembering the medications you need to take daily but it’s even more important to remember to get your prescriptions filled at the correct time. Failing to do so can have adverse effects on your health but this can be easily avoided. Make a mark on your calendar to remember when you need to order your prescriptions. However, if it is difficult for you to pick them up yourself, you can make arrangements in advance with the drug store, so it gets your medicine delivered right to your doorstep and on time.
Seniors often need to take multiple medications in order to keep their health in check, and it’s important for them to be attentive towards this. However, it isn’t always possible for them to remember every small detail themselves. Most retirement facilities and senior care centres have nursing services available to help people manage their medications. They can help make a list of current medicines when to take them and their side effects and purpose.