TAILIEUCHUNG - Medication Safety for the Elderly: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

The bones lose calcium and other minerals especially in women after menopause. The trunk becomes shorter as the gel-like cushions or intervertebral disks, between each spine bone (vertebrae) gradually lose fluid and become thinner along with gradual loss of mineral content of vertebrae itself, making each vertebra thinner. As a result, the spinal column becomes curved and compressed (packed together). The foot arches become less pronounced, contributing to a slight loss of height. The arms and legs look longer when compared with the shortened trunk. Bones become more brittle and may break more easily. The joints become stiffer and less. | Medication Safety for the Elderly A Guide for Patients and Caregivers High risk for Rx problems Medications play an expanding role in health care as we grow older. People are more likely to develop one or more chronic illnesses with advancing age and appropriate medication can help seniors live longer and more active lives. However medication use in older adults is also more likely to be associated with safety concerns. In this handout learn how to get the benefits of medicine whether prescription or nonprescription while minimizing and managing the risks. Seniors Their medicines and safety Why is medication safety a particular concern for the elderly With a growing number of prescription medicines available and a growing population of older adults the potential for medication safety problems is expanding. As people age they are much more likely to be prescribed more than one kind of prescription medication and many seniors take three or more. This increases the risk for drug interactions mix-ups and the potential for side effects. The effects of aging cause older adults bodies to process and respond to medicines differently than those of younger people. Age-related changes in the liver kidneys central nervous system and heart are among the contributing factors causing elderly people to be more vulnerable to overdose and side effects. Age-related challenges like memory loss or poor eyesight can make it harder to follow instructions for taking medication. Financial issues may prevent seniors from filling some prescriptions. On the following pages are steps you can take to reduce your risk of medication safety problems for yourself or for an older person in your care. It s dangerous not to follow the directions for taking medications but some factors can make that hard as people get older. Seniors should consider asking for help from their family caregiver doctor or pharmacist if they Live alone. Take 3 or more medications including nonprescription medicine and .

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