SWH Blog Taking Prescriptions Correctly Key to Good Health

April 1, 2017Taking Prescriptions Correctly Key to Good HealthPrescription medications are an important life-saving and life-prolonging resource for most seniors - provided they are taken correctly.More than one-third of all prescription drugs used in the United States are taken by the elderly who, on average, have five prescriptions to manage at one time, with nursing home residents taking an average of seven prescription medications.The problem is that as many as 55 percent of seniors do not take their prescriptions as directed by their doctor, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. This results in as many as 200,000 hospital admissions of the elderly for drug-related complications each year. Nearly a quarter of all nursing home admissions may also be linked to the inability of seniors to manage their prescriptions safely and effectively.There are many reasons elderly patients might fail to take their medications as their doctors prescribed. Some patients discontinue their medications as soon as they begin to feel better or throw them out when the prescribed medicine doesn't seem to be working fast enough. Others dislike the side effects or find the prescriptions too costly. Still others just forget.There are numerous products on the market to help seniors keep track of their multiple medications, such as inexpensive "reminding gadgets", found in most drugstores, that help organize pills and alert users when it's time to take them by means of a visual or sound alarm.In addition to covering prescriptions with zero co-pays or deductibles, Senior Whole Health offers a number of services to ensure our members take their medications correctly. Members can contact Member Services to get special pill boxes to better organize the multiple medications they need each day or to have their prescriptions synchronized so that medications can all be picked up at the same time.It's vital for seniors or their primary caretakers to take an active part in monitoring and managing their medications in consultation with their doctor and pharmacist.Seniors who are repeatedly hospitalized because they make mistakes involving their prescriptions face an increased risk of having to enter a nursing home setting prematurely.Patient education is an important part of any health care plan, but especially when it comes to medications. When a new medicine is prescribed, patients should ask their doctor:How does it work?What are the possible side effects or potential interactions with foods and other drugs?How many times a day and for how long must the drug be taken?As our bodies age, they can also change in how they process or react to certain medications. So it's critical for the elderly and their caretakers to keep physicians apprised of any ill-effects they might be having from new prescriptions.That's why it's a good idea to keep a detailed list of all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. This personalized record should include the name of all medications, the reason for use, dosages, whether taken in pill, liquid or injected form, and start and stop dates. It's also important to include drug allergies, side effects and sensitivities. Copies of this record should go to the senior's doctor, pharmacist and caretaker.The more that you and your health care team know about the medications you are taking, the greater the odds they will help you lead a long and healthy life.Wayne LowellChairman & Chief Executive Officer