Accidental overdoses, missed medications and adverse drug interactions are among the risks seniors face as they attempt to manage their regimen of prescriptions, over-the counter medications and supplements.
A survey conducted by Home Instead Senior Care found nearly one-fifth of those taking five or more prescription medications have experienced challenges in managing their medications, including keeping track of which medications they have taken and when.
This type of unintentional medication misuse can often lead to devastating consequences, according Todd Felker, with Home Instead Senior Care of Collin County.
While studies show that medication errors are among the most serious health risks facing seniors, for many, medication management is a difficult subject to broach as it is a very personal topic. Often, seniors have been managing this aspect of their life on their own for many years and may not be fully aware of potential pitfalls, according to Felker.
"We're encouraging the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area to have these conversations with their families because we've seen that seniors' ability to remain independent in their homes is greatly dependent on their ability to manage their medications," said Felker.
"If families see any signs that their senior loved one may be having difficulties, such as unintended weight loss or full medicine bottles, we encourage them to help their senior loved one, serving as a second set of eyes and ears, or ask for help," he added.
Anne Hilliard, 84, of Wylie, began falling last year, as the result of dehydration.
She now takes up to 40 medications and vitamins a day and relies on the help of her daughter to manage the pills.
"Every Sunday, she goes through and fixes seven days of pills, morning and evening, for me to take in a pill container. So I just take what she has there," said Hilliard.
For more tips on how to address medication management with your loved one, visit www.LetsTalkAboutRx.com.
