Coalition for Senior Medication Safety in New Haven helps with managing the meds

The Coalition for Senior Medication Safety says medication misuse causes needless sickness, even death; and wants us to know that managing our medications properly is serious business.

The Coalition, based at the Consultation Center in New Haven, recently completed a year-long study, which is part of an ongoing campaign on medication safety funded by the Agency on Aging of Southern Central Connecticut and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The Coalition, led by gerontologist Donna Fedus and pharmacist Sean Jeffery and comprised of representatives from pharmacies, social service agencies, hospitals, home-care organizations and consumers, developed an educational campaign with the goal of promoting senior medication safety.

With the help of seven cooperating senior centers and housing facilities where the average age of participants ranged from 55 to older than 85, participants were asked a series of questions about their medication usage. Most participants took 5 prescriptions and from 2-10 nonprescriptions daily, and only 15 percent of those surveyed received help with their meds (not surprising since 68 percent of those surveyed live alone.)

One of the questions on the survey, which also was an educational goal, had to do with having everyone carry on their person a complete and up-to-date list of all their medications. On a personal level, this made me recognize the wisdom of my own cardiologist, Dr. Steven Jacoby, who at regular intervals has asked me to bring in all the actual bottles and blister packs of everything I am taking, and he makes sure they are in the correct amount, not expired, and that there are no conflicting ingredients.

Follow up questions were later asked of the same groups, with improved results in their medication management. The Coalition suggests that even if you don’t have a particular question, review your medication, the type and amounts, prescription and nonprescription, and then talk all of these over with your doctor; either during your annual checkup or make a special, separate appointment.

I learned some additional good pointers at the recent Connecticut Health conference from Shelia Molony of Connecticut Community Care:

DO’S
Keep A Record (All medicines and vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter meds.)nAsk Questions — Make a list for your health-care provider and ask your pharmacist.nSome good questions for your doctor are Why do I need this medicine and are there any alternatives? What are the risks and benefits? What are some side effects? What should I do if I miss a dose? How do I take this medicine? With food? At a certain time of day? nPartner with your healthcare provider. Follow directions carefully and share any symptoms such as dizziness, change in appetite or sleep, fatigue, etc.nRead Labels. When you refill the prescription and before taking medicine. You can request large-print labels or information sheets. Use caution with over-the-counter medicines;read the warnings, dosage and expiration dates.nAvoid Problems. Use one pharmacy. Use organizers and reminders such as charts or pill boxes. Ask for easy-open-caps (if no children come into your household).

DON’T
Take more or less medication than prescribed.nStop taking antibiotics before the full prescription is finished.nSuddenly stop a medication without checking with your doctor.nStore medications in the bathroom.nMix alcohol and medication without first checking with your healthcare provider.nBorrow, loan or share medications.

Finally, two helpful websites are Medline Plus where you can learn all about your prescriptions and over-the-counter meds and the Consumer Reports site that details the best buys in drugs. That site is www.consumer reports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/index.htm

Questions or information re: the Coalition for Senior Medication Safety, should be directed to Donna Fedus, director of elder programs, at the Consultation Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 203-789-7645.

Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 49 Rose St., Apt. 510, Branford, 06405.

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