In several of my past blogs, I discussed safety concerns and the older adult.  One the main concern is medication safety. Not just the management of medications but how many are actually taken.

It is often reported in the news about a medical error made and the impact it has on individual lives.  Those articles are frequently about hospitals errors.  But have you ever thought about the older adult and how they manage at home...?  The impact our current health system has on managing medications...?  How chronic illnesses such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, and arthritis impact the older adult and his/her caregivers...?  Different providers – prescribing different medication – generic versus brand names.  multiple medications with multiple doses all affect the medication management and the safety of the older adult.

Let’s look at the key safety issue: polypharmacy (multiple medications).  
A caregiver may ask what defines polypharmacy or how many pills or too many?  The answer would have to be that different entities in the current health care system define Polypharmacy differently.  I have seen it defined as low as two or more medications, but in general it deals with using more than three to five medications or herbal supplements for longer than 90 days in a given year.  In my career I have witnessed shoe boxes filled with medications that have numbered over 20 different medications- especially when dealing with multiple chronic diseases, over the counter medications, herbs, and vitamins.

Where should the caregiver and/or older adult start in trying to deal with their medications?
First, realize that the main problem with polypharmacy is that it increases the clients’ risk for drug interactions.  Drug interactions occur when one medication or herbal supplement reacts negatively with another medication when they are taken together. It is important to report any side effects to your physician.
 
The following are some steps you can take to prevent drug interactions:

• Provide a complete list of your medications and herbal supplements to your physician and/or pharmacist
• Discuss how each medication/herbal supplement works inside the body.
• Verify with your physician that you are receiving the recommended dose of each medication/herbal supplement.
• Verify with your physician that you are receiving the recommended form of each medication/herbal supplement you are taking (pill, liquid, tea, extract).
• Determine how many times a day your medications/herbal supplements should be taken.
• Discuss any side effects that might be experienced.
• Discuss the common prescription medication interactions.
• Discuss the common herbal supplement interactions.

If you can not complete a list of medications, take them all into your physician or pharmacist and have a list made for you. 

The National Institute on Aging is a great resource for learning more about medication managements, herbs, vitamins and safety concerns - learn more by clicking here.