COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL October 19, 2016
11A
Preventing medi ation mismanagement
Medication management is
an important issue for seniors
and their families. Failure to
properly manage medications
can threaten the lives of seniors,
highlighting the emphasis fami-
lies must place on ensuring se-
niors take their medications in
strict adherence to their physi-
cians’ instructions.
Polypharmacy, or the taking of
multiple medications for differ-
ent conditions, can be a potential
health hazard for the thousands
of seniors who must manage
health conditions with prescrip-
tion drugs. Harmful drug inter-
actions are a result of the confu-
sion that can arise when seniors
take multiple medications at the
same time. The American Soci-
ety of Health-System Pharma-
cists estimates that more than
34 percent of senior citizens
are prescribed medications by
more than one physician, and
72 percent use medications they
were prescribed more than six
months prior. Many people also
have begun “pharmacy shop-
ping” to save money. According
to a study published in 2010 in
American Nurse Today, 44 per-
cent of men and 57 percent of
women older than age 65 take
fi ve or more medications per
week, with some taking as many
as 10.
Medication confusion is one
risk, but older adults also me-
tabolize medications differently
than young people. As a result,
they may be more susceptible
to overdose or other ill effects.
Families looking to help seniors
effectively manage their medi-
cations should consider the fol-
lowing tips.
• Keep a running list of medi-
cations. Maintain a list of all
medications being taken, noting
both prescription and over-the-
counter medications and any
supplements and herbs. Provide
a copy to any new doctors you
visit and any new pharmacies
you patronize.
• Use pill sorters. Medication
sorters can keep medications or-
ganized and eliminate some of
the personal error in medication
management. Organizers have
daily slots and may also differ-
entiate between nighttime and
daytime medications.
• Understand why each medi-
cation is being prescribed. Ask
your pharmacist and doctor to
explain why each medication
is prescribed. This informa-
tion should be printed on the
prescription label. Some drugs
designed for one symptom may
actually be used to treat other is-
sues as well.
• Ask for help. Some seniors
may benefi t from friendly re-
minders from a loved one re-
garding when to take certain
medications, especially if they
need to take multiple doses
throughout the day. Cognitively
impaired seniors may require
the services of a visiting nurse
or another caregiver.
• Recognize that not all medi-
cations are right for seniors. The
American Geriatrics Society
maintains a list of medications
that older adults should avoid
or take with extreme caution.
Some drugs pose a high risk
of side effects or interactions,
while others are less effective.
Discuss alternatives with your
physician if you are prescribed
one of these medications.
• Keep a medication diary. Re-
cord any side effects that occur
and how the medications make
you feel. Always bring up issues
promptly with a doctor.
Proper medication manage-
ment can help seniors avoid
drug-related accidents or worse.
How to help so ially solated
i
seniors
The elderly population is on
the rise in many countries. Ad-
vancements in healthcare and
a growing emphasis on healthy
lifestyles means people are liv-
ing longer than ever before.
Age is often accompanied by
wisdom, but men and women
may also fi nd that feelings of
isolation, loneliness and depres-
sion may also settle in as they
grow older. The Journal of Pri-
mary Prevention published “A
Review of Social Isolation,”
which observed how social iso-
lation has been linked to numer-
ous detrimental health effects
in older adults. Some of these
ailments may include increased
risk for mortality, rehospitaliza-
tion, falls, and dementia.
Individuals looking to give
back to their communities may
want to consider helping seniors
in their area. Although it can
be diffi cult to see seniors with
diminished physical or mental
capabilities, the rewards of in-
teracting and helping seniors
can be immeasurable. There are
plenty of ways to help seniors
avoid isolation and continue to
live fulfi lling lives.
• Provide transportation. A
Place for Mom, a senior hous-
ing placement resource, notes
that lack of adequate transpor-
tation is a main cause of social
isolation among seniors. Vol-
untary or necessary cessation
of driving makes getting to and
from appointments or even rec-
reational outings more diffi cult.
Where public transportation is
unavailable or challenging to
come by, volunteers can help
shuttle seniors to and from gro-
cery stores, doctor’s offi ces and
any other places they need to go.
Getting out regularly and seeing
new faces can help seniors over-
come feelings of loneliness.
• Participate in hobbies to-
gether. Give seniors a sense of
purpose by encouraging them to
participate in hobbies or activi-
ties. Book clubs are one activity
that can interest people of dif-
ferent age groups.
• Encourage exercise. Physi-
cal exercise keeps the body fi t
and improves mental health.
Seniors can benefi t from physi-
cal activity because it promotes
strong bones and a healthy car-
diovascular system. In addition,
seniors who enroll in exercise
classes at gyms or local senior
centers can meet like-minded
adults, helping them overcome
their feelings of isolation even
further.
• Provide meals and compan-
ionship. Older adults may not
be getting all they need to main-
tain healthy weights and bodily
functions. Cooking and shop-
ping for healthy foods may be
diffi cult. Provide seniors with
healthy meals when possible,
and take the time to share those
meals. This can foster conversa-
tions that keep seniors’ minds
sharp and also may help prevent
social isolation.
Seniors can benefi t from many
different forms of support, and
helping older adults is a worthy
volunteer initiative.
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