Managing Medications in the Elderly

As people age they become much more vulnerable to medication mistakes. An increase in illnesses with age means more trips to various physicians as well as pharmacies with multiple prescriptions and/or possible double dosing. This creates a potentially dangerous situation if the medications are not managed properly.

The aging population is usually a group that is diligent in compliance with their treatment regimen. They want to feel better; therefore, they take every medication prescribed to them without quesiton. Unfortunately, this can be a risky circumstance if the medications are not carefully scrutinized.

Here are some simple tips and facts to keep in mind when managing medication for the elderly:

• Always bag medication and take it to every physician visit. This includes all prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamin supplements and herbal remedies. The Ohio Patient Safety Institute has a great "tool kit" for a medication review.
• Try to use the same pharmacy and/or pharmacy chain as much as possible. Pharmacists can only monitor medications they have documented, so it is always best to be consistent.
• Be aware that some medications have more than one name. For example, the extremely potent cardiac medication, Digoxin, is also known as Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps, Cardoxin and Digitek. There have been cases where elderly patients were found to be double-dosing on the same medication but with different names.
• Understand that physiological effects of aging render some medications inappropriate for use in elderly paitients. The Beers list is the best source for information regarding medications that are inappropriate for use in the elderly.
• Be aware that the effectiveness of some medications change over time as well as the potential for adverse reactions. The patient may benefit from a medication at the beginning of treatment with no side effects; however, the benefits may be much less over time with increased side effects.
• Read the package inserts of all medications and identify potential adverse reactions and any possible reactions with other medications.
• When in doubt always question the physician or pharmacist.
• Be aware of any physical changes or changes in behavior or mood after adding a new medication to the treatment regimen.
• Use the internet to gain information about the medication. The internet is invaluable for obtaining information about pharmaceuticals but always review and compare several sources in the process.

For family members and caregivers attempting to manage medications in the elderly, it is always much easier to follow a systematic approach including the above guidelines when developing a plan. All family members and caregivers should work togethor as a team in medication management to ensure every one is on the same page. For more information on medication management in the elderly you may email us at mcook@cook-legalnursing.com. We will answer you questions promptly.