Balancing Health and Safety: Navigating Medications Linked to Falls in Seniors
What comes to mind when you think about fall prevention for a loved one? Adding more lighting? Removing clutter and other tripping hazards? Keeping the floors clean and dry? These are all important components to preventing falls in the home, but there’s another common culprit to consider: medications linked to falls. Many older adults are […]
Key Questions to Ask the Pharmacist When an Older Loved One Gets a New Medication
You have just left the doctor’s office with Mom. The doctor is sending over a new prescription to the drug store that should be ready when you get there. Your plan is to zip through the drive-through window, pick up the medication, and take Mom out to lunch. But is there a step you’re missing? Any […]
Strategies to Address Medication Refusal in Elderly Loved Ones
“I don’t need that medicine! There’s nothing wrong with me!” If you’ve heard an older family member declare this or other similar sentiments to make a case for refusing to take prescribed medication, you appreciate how concerning or frustrating it is. There are a lot of reasons someone may balk at following doctors’ orders, from […]
Health Issues in Older Adults and an Increased Risk for Adverse Drug Reactions
Anyone who has taken prescription drugs knows that they normally come with a comprehensive list of potential adverse side effects to watch for. While prescriptions are, naturally, intended to help us, the harm that can arise from these adverse reactions can often be even worse than the benefits we receive. For the elderly, the vast […]