Navigating Medication Management: Tips for Seniors

Medication management is important for seniors to ensure good health and well-being. Overmedication, or taking multiple medications, is called polypharmacy. Polypharmacy is typically known as taking 3 to 5 or more prescription medications – and, it’s more common than most of us realize. Nearly one-third of older patients take five or more medications which is a consequence of having multiple chronic health conditions. But are they all necessary? That is the bigger question and one we should routinely address.

Taking multiple medications comes with plenty of issues, some can even lead to severe problems. Here are the most common:

• The more medication a senior takes, the higher the risk of an adverse drug reaction. Older adults are more susceptible to the side effects of medications due to age-related changes in metabolism, organ function, and increased sensitivity.
• When multiple medications are taken, there is an increased likelihood of a drug interaction. This can change their effectiveness and cause harmful side effects.
• In seniors, overmedication can cause confusion, drowsiness, and memory problems. This can significantly impact the quality of life and functional abilities.
• Overmedication can increase dizziness, impair coordination, and cause muscle weakness which can lead to an increase in the risk of falls.
• Too many medications can be difficult to manage causing non-adherence. This can lead to inadequate treatment and poorer health outcomes.
• Overmedication can be burdensome with complex dosing schedules, frequent refills, and potential medication conflicts. This increases the risk of errors and missed doses.
• Too many medications can be a significant financial burden for those on a fixed income or without adequate insurance coverage.

Tips for Better Medication Management 

When medications aren’t managed properly, it leads to increased hospitalizations and poor disease management – and ultimately, reduced overall well-being. Below are ten tips to help manage your medications:

1. Make a medication list: Keep a complete list of all the medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and even cannabis. Don’t forget to include medicines such as inhalers, creams, ointments, patches, and injections!
2. Review your medications regularly: Talk to your pharmacist or health care provider about your medications. Be sure to notify them if you have any changes or side effects. Your pharmacist can check for interactions too!
3. Watch for side effects: If you are having side effects, talk to your pharmacist or health care provider. They can help figure out the culprit.
4. Organize your medications: If you have multiple medications that are taken multiple times per day, a pill organizer can be an invaluable way to keep track of them. Some can even keep track of day and time to tell you which medication to take and when.
5. Follow instructions: Read the labels and pay attention to the recommended dose, whether it should be taken with food or any other specific instructions. If the instructions are not clear, ask!
6. Use reminders: Set up reminders to help you to remember when to take your medicine and when to call for a refill. You can use a calendar, alarm clock, phone alarms, and there are medication reminder apps to help.
7. Stick to a routine: Take your medication at the same time each day to establish a routine. This makes it easier to remember and reduces the likelihood of missing a dose.
8. Avoid medication duplication: Be cautious about taking multiple medications with similar active ingredients. This is more common with over-the-counter drugs. This can lead to accidental overdose or harmful interactions. If there is a question, always ask your pharmacist or health care provider.
9. Store medications properly: Follow the storage instructions with each medication. Some may require refrigeration, while others should be kept in a cool, dry place. Bathrooms are usually never ideal for storage. Keep medications out of reach of children and pets!
10. Dispose medications safely: If you have medications that you no longer take or if they are expired, ask your pharmacist how to safely dispose of them.

Remember, it’s essential to involve your healthcare provider and pharmacist in your medication management process. If there are questions or concerns, they can help find a solution that fits your specific needs.

DiGi Graham, Doctor of Pharmacy
Chief Corporate Pharmacist
Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care

Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care provides care and support to terminally ill patients and their families. To learn about the care hospice provides, call us at 1-888-564-3405 or read our frequently asked questions.

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