As we age, it is common to experience changes to our health and develop additional conditions that lead to taking more prescriptions, supplements, or other medications. Studies show that 87% of seniors take one prescription drug, 36% take five or more, and 38% use over-the-counter medications. This increase in daily medications can potentially lead to confusion, missing doses, or taking too much (or not enough) of one.

Getting proactive and practicing medication safety can go a long way in helping you or a family member maintain their health and wellness. Our team at Senior Solutions Management Group understands the importance of taking medications as prescribed. As an all-inclusive senior living provider, we are sharing five essential medication safety tips to help you or someone you love take medications safely and with confidence.

1. Take Medications as Prescribed

Health care providers play an important role in practicing medication safety. They are trained to understand how each medication reacts in the body, what amount of a prescription is most effective, and how different medications interact with one another.

This being said, it is important that you or your family member takes each medication exactly as it is prescribed, including the time of day to take it.

When you talk to your health care professional about current medications, be sure to include current prescriptions and any supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter drugs.

2. Create and Maintain a Medications List

This list should include any prescriptions, supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications that are taken on a regular or daily basis. In addition to the name of each medication, you should also include the dosage, how often it is taken, and the time (or times) of day that you take each medication.

Keeping an updated list of medications is an easy and convenient way to keep track of them, as well as communicate with physicians.

3. Sort Medications & Create a Tracking System

One of the best medication safety tips is to pick one day out of the week to sort your medications and create a tracking and reminder system that helps you know which medications have been taken and what has not been taken.

An easy way to do this is to get a pill organizer with separate compartments for each day and time of day. This makes it easy and convenient to know which medications to take when the time comes without having to sift through several bottles and risk mixing up prescriptions. 

Furthermore, creating alarms on your phone or smart devices can help remind you or a loved one that it is time to take medications.

One advantage of the all-inclusive senior living services that we offer in our communities is that we provide medication management for our residents. This means that your family member does not have to worry about remembering to take their prescriptions or if they are taking the right amount of each one.

4. Plan Ahead for Prescription Refills

What you do not want to happen is for your loved one to go to take their medications only to find that they are out of one of their prescriptions. In order to prevent this from happening, it is important to plan ahead and refill prescriptions before you run out completely. 

If you notice you or your family member is running low, refill the prescription with the pharmacy or ask your doctor to submit a prescription renewal. 

5. Be Aware of Possible Drug Interactions

Certain medications can cause side effects and cause undesirable interactions with other prescriptions. This is why it is crucial that the prescribing doctor is aware of everything you or your loved one is taking.

By reading the labels and consulting your doctor and pharmacist, you will be aware of which side effects to look out for and be able to prevent harmful drug interactions.

Practicing medication safety goes a long way in ensuring overall health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about our all-inclusive senior living services, including medication management, we invite you to visit our website or contact a member of the Senior Solutions Management Group team.