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HEALTHY LIVING
On Track I
Keeping your medications organized is essential— especially as you age. By: Maggie Scroope
t’s not uncommon for senior adults to juggle five or more medications at once, and keeping track of the doses can be a dizzying feat at any age. Plus, with so many prescription drugs on the market—not to mention over-the-counter supplements on the shelves—keeping meds organized has never been more important. Fortunately, an array of new products and Internet tools makes both monitoring and management easier.
Why It Matters
Skipping doses can lead to a host of problems, cautions Ann Ziegert, RPh., CDE, compounding pharmacist and certified diabetes educator at Memorial Home Care Advanced Pharmacy Services. It opens the door to your original symptoms and creates new ones. Just a day or two without some medications could really set you back and make you sick. You could go into withdrawal because your body is relying on that medication. You can actually put your health at risk or cause physical damage. (Antidepressants and insulin injections are just a couple of examples.) Certain people are more at risk for losing track of their doses, Ziegert adds, including those who are older than 60, suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or have bipolar disorder. Medication regimens can be stressful when you are taking different types of medication capsules, injections or inhalers. With hectic schedules, you don’t want to add more stress.
Ways to Keep Track
There are several simple ways to reduce that stress and ensure you never miss a dose again.
1.
Make a list. Write a detailed list of every drug you take, including over-the-counter products. Write down each drug’s brand name and its generic counterpart, the strength in milligrams, formulation (e.g., capsules or tablets) and the directions/dosage. Keep copies at home, in your wallet and with a friend or family member for reference.
2.
Create a chart. On a dry erase or bulletin board, draw a chart that shows the weeks, days and medications. Add a checkmark every time you complete a dose. For people on the go, a medical journal works just as well. You can jot down any side effects you experience and show the journal to your doctor. Several websites let you print out free charts and calendars.
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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2013 | boom