A Network of Affordable Elder Mediators
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
Management of Medications
Medication non-compliance has become a life and death situation for so many of our senior loved ones as estimates of the extent of such noncompliance in the elderly range from 40% to a high of 75%. Solving the medication management challenge is a process that may need to be attended to by multiple parties of the family, from pharmacy pick-ups, to medication payment, to overseeing medication compliance.
Juggling The Pills
Caregiver's Role
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Who will bring the elder to the doctor?
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Who will pick up the prescriptions?
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Who will pay for the prescriptions?
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Who will follow up with the doctor for reports?
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How will the progress be shared with other family members?
Important Discussion Points
Commitment to Safety
Interactions
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Drug interactions are especially a concern for seniors. If physicians aren’t aware of all medications a senior is taking, there is the potential for dangerous and possibly deadly drug interactions.
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​To guard against medication non-compliance: make a list of all medications, vitamins and herbal remedies that your loved one is taking. Beside each medication, write the name of the physician who prescribed the medicine. Some physicians may not realize how many other doctors their patients are seeing. Take this list to each doctor appointment and be sure that it is kept current.
Avoid Pharmacy Shopping
Pharmacists can often spot drug interactions, possible problems, and can possibly recommend OTC medications that can safely be taken with prescription medicines. Include the pharmacist’s information on the medication list that you provide to each doctor. When doctors call in a prescription, make sure that they use the same pharmacy each time.
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Skipping Doses
Make sure that each medicine is taken as prescribed and doses are not skipped in order to make the medication(s) stretch further. If help is needed paying for medications, there are more than 40 patient assistance programs available depending on your situation and the program’s guidelines, including Needymeds.com.