Medication Management for Seniors – The Risks of Med Noncompliance

Did you know that nearly one-third of older adults take eight or more medications every day? There’s no way I could keep up with what to take and when if I had that responsibility. Medication management can pose a challenge for adults of any age, but as we get older, we also face physical challenges and memory limitations that can make taking medication correctly a real issue.

First, of all, we have to remember that all medications – both over- the-counter and prescription should only be taken according to a doctor’s instructions. All drugs interact not only with our individual system and metabolism, but with each other. The wrong dosage or combination can make us sick or lead to serious side effects.

Sometimes older adults will simply stop taking their medications as prescribed – either because the side effects are troubling, certain symptoms start improving or because they have just forgotten the correct routine. Memory problems and depression may also contribute to forgetfulness. Self-medicating or stopping a prescribed medication can have serious consequences for our older family members – and any issues with med noncompliance should be discussed immediately with their doctor.

Older adults in particular should work with the nursing staff at the doctor’s office and perhaps take advantage of pharmacy services that offer additional information and consultations about medications and side effects. Pharmacies also have programs to help with auto refills of prescriptions and consultations about manufacturer changes to certain drugs. Many seniors may need the help of a family member or caregiver to help keep their prescriptions straight.

Forgetting to take medications or taking the incorrect dose can delay recovery, worsen a person’s overall health and even be fatal in the worst case. So what steps can you take to protect your older family members?
1. Document all medications and dosages on a detailed plan that is easy for the patient, caregiver and other family members to read and understand.
2. Keep all medications in a central place, preferably in an organization box with visible and/or audible reminders.
3. Take advantage of technology and use special machines that dispense proper dosages at the correct times – and send alerts to both the patient and the primary caregiver if something is missed.

If you have any concerns about an older adult’s ability to take medications as prescribed, step in and help them create an action plan or get the outside assistance they need. Complete compliance with medical prescriptions is the only way to keep your older family members safe and healthy as the doctor ordered!