Senior Spotlight: Medication Safety Week Is Here

Did you know that the first week of April is Medication Safety Week? While this is not often as top of mind as wearing a seatbelt in the car or looking both ways when you cross the street, the risks and impacts can be just as big! 

WHO

Next Avenue reports that 7,000-9,000 people die every year as a result of medication errors. While many errors take place in hospitals or other nursing settings, as many as 33% of medication mistakes occur at home (Patient Safety Network, 2018). Older adults are at great risk of medication errors due to administration and interactions since they are more prone to polypharmacy – taking multiple medications at once. Note that those at risk are not just those who take prescription medication, but those who take vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs as well. 

WHY

The most common medication errors in older adults are caused by poor vision (may misread the label), difficulty opening the bottles and missing doses, language barriers and cognitive deficits. While most individuals do not mean to misuse medications, it can be very common to forget to ask doctors and pharmacists about interactions and side effects when new medications are added to an existing routine, or when over-the-counter drugs and supplements are utilized. 

HOW

The #1 way to limit medication mistakes and misuses is to keep a list of all medication, supplements and over-the-counter drugs with you and on your refrigerator at all times. Be sure to reconcile these medications with your doctor and pharmacist at least once a year AND any time a change occurs (addition or removal of a substance). AARP states that it is imperative to review the medication regime with health care professionals when transitioning between levels of care, such as from a hospital to home. 

Communication is also vital to limiting discrepancies and adverse events; be sure that every provider is aware of every medication you are prescribed and taking on your own. Ask about the risks, side effects and monitoring (i.e. bloodwork) for every prescription you take. Also don’t be afraid to report a side effect or if you have stopped taking medication so that a solution can be discussed. 

We hope that you can utilize the best that modern medicine has to offer with the best of the lifestyle choices you have available to live a healthy and happy retirement. Please share these medication safety tips with someone you love and want to protect. 

*This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical guidance. Please discuss the best plan for medication management for you with your personal health care team. 

Resource Used: Managing Your Medications Safely

All my best,

Bobbi

Bobbi Decker
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