One of my favorite sites, ElderCare Locator (hosted by eldercare.gov), recently posted a wonderful new brochure, “Prescription Drug Options for Older Adults: Managing Your Medicines“. If your elderly parent is like mine, they are on a number of medications. My mother is on 7 different medications. It still boggles my mind. As much as I have tried to gently persuade her, she refuses to use dispensers or any automated system. She insists on counting out her pills 3 times a day. I was glad to find this booklet so I can share its good info with her.
This booklet was written because it’s important to take an active role in understanding what’s prescribed. Studies show that the more medications a person takes, the more likely they are to be taking a med they do not need. The booklet will help your aging parent:
- Personally manage their prescriptions
- Get the best value for their money
- Find help in making prescription drug choices
It offers information on:
- Medicine Record. Making a list of meds, updating the record, using a no-charge medication tracker software to organize and track medications.
- Talking to Your Doctor. 10 questions to ask your doctor. A link is provided to obtain comparison of drugs by medical condition or drug class.
- Keeping up with Your Medicines. 6 great tips, such as never keep your meds in a bathroom where they can become damaged from steam and moisture.
- Overcoming Some Medicine Hurdles. Addresses issues of trouble affording meds; stopping meds because your symptoms have gone away; stopping meds because of side effects; not taking meds because it is getting too complicated
- Getting the Best Value for Your Medicines. Review your needs every year. Shop around. Share with your doctor what’s on your drug plan “formulary”. My mother did this after I encouraged her to and found pretty significant cost savings on just one drug.
- Help Paying for your Medicines. 3 helpful sites providing information about assistance programs from federal/state governments as well as pharmaceutical companies.
- Finding Answers…from community experts. 800 phone number and website provided.
This is a great time of year to share this information with your aging parents. Remember, until December 31st, it is Open Enrollment for Medicare.
To download this very helpful booklet, click on http://www.eldercare.gov/
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There’s a great website called ‘Medtipster’ that makes finding affordable prescriptions easy. Medtipster allows you to locate low-cost generics from reputable pharmacies in your area. On the site’s homepage, you just type in the medication you need, the dosage and your zip code and Medtipster will direct you to the least expensive retailer. It’s a very useful money-saving tool…google search “Medtipster” and check it out
Hi Dale, Another great article! Thank you for the tips and the link. I’m headed over there next to make sure I download it. At the moment, we are blessed with few required meds but it’s definitely vital to be prepared. Good info about the bathroom being the wrong place to store them, too! Thank you