Age@Home offers Medication Management Services to support our clients in avoiding dangerous mistakes in handling multiple medications. One of the most challenging aspects to health care for older folks is keeping track of several prescription drugs and over the counter medications. Many times we see that a client’s deteriorating health situation is due to medication mismanagement – taking pills at the wrong time, doubling up on doses, failing to inform all doctors of what a person is taking, etc. Professional medication management includes an evaluation of all medications, consultation with prescribing physicians, and establishment of a medications plan. We work with our client, family and care providers to decrease medication compliance errors.

To provide a medication consultation, we will need the following information:

• Current medication list that includes not only prescription drugs but also over-the-counter items and herbal products
• Drugs you have taken in the past that have caused allergic reactions, adverse reactions, or intolerable side effect(s)
• Names and phone numbers of the doctors who are treating you and the names and dosages of the medicines they have prescribed
• Pharmacy or pharmacies you have used to fill each prescription
• List of your medical conditions and diseases.

Appropriate, safe, and effective use of medications can help your loved one stay healthy and happy as they age. But as they age, changes in the way the body reacts to medications and taking many medications can put them at risk for harmful side effects. Take the time to make sure that your medications are helping, not hindering, the health of you or your loved one.

Contact us to start your medication management consultation.

Do You Need A Medication Management Consult?

1. Do you currently take five or more prescription medications?
2. Do you take 12 or more medication doses each day?
3. Are you currently taking medications for three or more medical problems?
4. Have your medications or the instructions on how to take them been changed four or more times this past year?
5. Does more than one physician prescribe medications for you on a regular basis?
6. Do you get your prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy?
7. Does someone else bring any of your medications to your home for you (such as a delivery person from the pharmacy, a spouse, friend, or a neighbor)?
8. Is it difficult for you to remember to take all of your medications or do you sometimes choose not to?
9. Are you confused or uncertain about why you take any of your medicines?

(Adapted from: Levy, H.B. Self-administered medication-risk questionnaire in an elderly population. Ann Pharmacother 2003; 37:982-7.)

If you answered “YES” to three or more of these questions please contact us today to schedule Age @ Home Concierge Pharmacist for a home visit.