Preventing overmedication mishaps

One of the most common mishaps that may occur in senior health care is the high incidence of over-medicating. Several factors may be responsible for these errors, but they can be prevented with a little bit of preparation. It is a well know fact, that as we age, seniors may take up to three medications for one disease diagnosis.

The first preventative action an individual may take is to write all prescriptions down on an index card and make enough copies to disperse to one's physicians. With contemporary medical specialties it is common for seniors to have as many as two or three doctors, maybe more. By taking responsibility to ensure that they all have the same information, seniors may save time, money, and potential medical complications or emergencies.

If you end up in the hospital unexpectedly, especially seniors, make sure a family member or friend has a current list of all your medications to present to your doctor, (he may not be your family physician). This list can then be checked against current treatment plans to ensure you do not experience adverse side effects, toxicity, or worse. Upon discharge, check the list of medications you are being discharged with to ensure that they are not duplicates of something you already have.

Another preventitive seniors can take is to also learn and list the generic as well as the brand name of their medications on your index cards. Some prescription plans dispense medications by generic names to save money and these can easily become confused with other drug names. Elicit the assistance of your local pharmacist for this information. They will also upon request, provide you with a list of the reason for a drug you are taking, as well as side effects, interactions, and things to avoid while receiving them.

With a little planning and communication, it is possible to avoid medication errors and preserve your health, allowing as much freedom from complications as possible.