We recently had some experience with the "set it and forget it" approach to the medication list.  It's too easy to make a medication list during a flurry of activity to get organized and then consider it done... for good.  Of course medications, dosages, and frequencies change over time and the list needs to be kept current.

For anyone dealing with multiple medications, keeping it current isn't enough.  It also needs to be communicated.  When you first build a medication list for yourself, your parents, or other loved one you should send it to every provider involved.  Yes EVERY provider and caregiver.  If you expect the health care community to make the best choices, they need to know all the medications in play.Communicate

At My Health Care Manager our best practice is to write a cover letter to all the health care providers and attach the full medication list.  For members under our Medication Management Program we extend this same notification every time there is a change to the prescription list.  This lets the provider know who else is involved in the care and what medications may be impacting their treatment recommendations.

As a caregiver or active senior, you can certainly do this yourself without the help of geriatric care manager.  Remembering to communicate is the key.  Don't forget to tell the other caregivers involved.  This is critical to making certain the proper amounts are taken and that potentially serious mistakes are avoided.