Medication Management: A Piece of the Healthy Aging Puzzle

We are always looking for ways to stay healthy as we age. Even with good eating habits and exercise we cannot prevent all the ailments and diseases associated with aging without some medical intervention, usually in the form of medications. According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, nine out of 10 people who are 65 and older take at least one prescription medication and more than half of all seniors take four or more prescriptions a day. That is a lot of medication to manage!

Unfortunately, according to Health and Human Services, over half of all seniors do not take prescription drugs as instructed by their physicians, which can be dangerous. Some reasons why older adults do not take medications as prescribed can be attributed to the aging process: forgetting to take medications due to memory loss and/or cognitive decline, vision problems make it difficult to read prescription bottles and as we age even the act of swallowing pills can become difficult. Other non-medical factors, such as the high cost of some drugs, can prevent seniors from even filling a prescription. Other common problems associated with prescription drugs include negative interactions of multiple drugs prescribed by different doctors and medication side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness, that can affect balance and lead to falls or serious injuries.

Here are some simple steps seniors can take to better manage their medications: 1) Create a list of all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and vitamins and supplements taken daily with the name of the doctor who prescribed each one; 2) Use a calendar or journal to log the time each medication is taken throughout the day; 3) Use a daily pill organizer; 4) Set an alarm as a reminder to take medications or ask a family member or caregiver to assist you; 5) Speak with your doctor about any difficulties you have with medications.

Other helpful tips for better medication management are to: use one pharmacy for all prescriptions, ask for large print prescription bottles that are easy to read and bottles that are easy to open, and sign up for automatic refills with your insurance plan or pharmacy.

If the cost of a medication is too expensive, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a cheaper alternative or generic form. Look into free discount prescription drug cards that can lower the cost of certain medications. For low-income seniors, Medicare Savings Programs help pay premiums and prescription drug costs.

For more information, please call the Community Resource Center for Aging at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital at (818) 949-4033 or send an email to aging-resources@med.usc.edu.