We’ve spoken to you in the past about mistakes made by chain pharmacies in having dispensed the wrong medication to a child.
And now we’d like to discuss with you something of equal importance about another “at risk” population–especially when talking about medications––our senior citizens.
Whether you’re a full-time caregiver to your parents, a volunteer in a senior service program or you just help out an aging aunt or uncle from time to time, part of that responsibility is likely helping them get their medications.
Our elders use more prescriptions than any other age group in the country. In fact although they comprise roughly 13% of the population, they use at least 34% of all prescription medication.
Because most older adults live with at least one chronic condition and generally have more than one prescribing physician, there are often complications in keeping track of the multiple meds and the interactions between them.
One of the most valuable services your local pharmacy can offer you is a strong effort to educate older adults and their caregivers about every medication the patient takes.
Additionally, as your family pharmacist, we can help to close gaps in the process of managing prescriptions. Opening the lines of communications between adults with hectic schedules, who also care for their parents on a regular basis, is a valuable asset that cannot be overstated. We are available to discuss your elders entire medication protocol and can advise on the safest, most expeditious way of guaranteeing that they are protected when it comes to their medication.
One practice, which can offer a safeguard, is reducing risks by filling your prescriptions at the same pharmacy. Studies show that using one source for all medications significantly reduces life-threatening mistakes.
Studies show longer life expectancy among adults over 65 is on the rise and in the next 12 years that population is expected to number around is 71 million elders by 2030. Those same studies name pharmacists as integral figures in helping to insure the health and safety of the fastest growing segment of the population—those 85 and older!
Patients and their caregivers should feel free to ask for their pharmacists help in performing what can be a daunting and difficult task.
Consult your pharmacist with any questions you may have. And remember it’s the questions we fail to ask that can bring on unnecessary health problems. So by all means, ask away!
See you next week
