Special Public Meeting 3/11/10

View Senior Survey Results

View 2008-2009
Annual Report
sky[1]12

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
Live Strong and Safe: Falls Prevention

As you get older you may be faced with more health conditions that you need to treat on a regular basis. Drugs can help us live better and longer, but they may also cause problems. 

Being educated about prescription and over-the-counter drugs can reduce a person’s risk of side effects, and over or under-medication.  Here are some quick facts from the California Board of Pharmacy:

  • Increased use of medicines and normal body changes caused by aging can increase the risk of harmful drug interactions.
     
  • The frequency of adverse drug reactions increases as the number of drugs prescribed increases.
     
  • Nearly ¼ of all nursing home admissions result from older people being unable to take their medications properly.
     
  • 96% of seniors don’t ask questions about their medications.  As a result, 50% of their prescriptions are not used properly.
     
  • Improper use of prescription medicines costs the economy over $15 billion per year.

The more you know about your medicines and the more you talk with your doctor and pharmacist, the easier it is to avoid problems with medicines.

 

   SIGNS OF MEDICINE-RELATED PROBLEMS:

  • Falling                       
  • Depression
  • Memory problems
  • Mood changes
  • Confusion
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation or diarrhea


Medication Management Resource Materials
Click on the links below to view, print or download each item.

    Ten Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist About Your Medications
         > An Area 4 Agency on Aging publication
         > A simple Checklist
         > pdf format, 1 page

    A Guide for Older People: Talking with Your Doctor
         > A National Institute on Aging publication
         > A comprehensive guide book
         > pdf format, 48 pages

    The New Over-The-Counter Medicine Label
         > A U.S. Food and Drug Administration publication
         > A simple brochure
         > pdf format, 5 pages


 

 

 

Medication Management Links
The National Council on Patient Information and Education sponsors two websites: “Be Med Wise” is an easy to read site for seniors and caregivers to learn about safe use of medications; “Talk About Prescriptions” is a site for professionals as well as seniors.


More Links (for seniors or caregivers)

More Links (for service providers)

 

 

Back to Top

A4AA Home