Tips to Help an Elderly Parent Organize their Medications

Chances are if your parents are elderly, they are taking one or more prescription medications on a daily basis. In fact the Washington Post cites research that estimates, “25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.” Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and puts people more at risk for adverse drug interaction, an area of special concern for the elderly. 

Alarming figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state approximately 350,000 people are hospitalized each year after visits to the emergency room because of adverse, or harmful, drug events. Doctors say while many of these problems are preventable, when you take a number of prescriptions, it can get confusing keeping up with various instructions such as “is it taken with food,” and the adverse side effects. 

Experts say to help a parent get organized, write down the names of all of the drugs they are taking, the dosage, and if they see several doctors, who prescribed them. Include any herbal supplements, multi-vitamins and over-the-counter drugs. The next time they see their primary care doctor, take your list and discuss the reasons for each drug, how long they will be on it, and if any of the drugs are dangerous taken together. Whenever a new drug is prescribed, ask what it is for and how it should be taken, and read through the paperwork. 

Now store the medications together in a cool, dry location (not the bathroom), discard old, expired medications, and find a pill organizer that makes sense to your parent’s needs. If they are forgetful, they may need a reminder system. However if a parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, they should be carefully monitored. 

At the MorningStar of Sparks senior living community, our residents’ wellbeing and physical health is our primary concern. This is why one of our many services is medication management that ensures residents have their medications when they need them, and as we even order meds, there is no danger of them running out. We are currently accepting new residents and offer independent living, assisted living and memory care. Visit our website to learn more. 

MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to contact us for more information about exceptional independent and assisted living in Reno.