Download Safe Meds for Seniors

The views expressed herein are those
of the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association
and do not necessarily reflect those of
the Government of Ontario.
The Myths of Aging
• Aging will inevitably bring illness and disability
• The damage is already done so why bother
protecting your health
• Getting old means losing your mental
sharpness
• Getting old means being sad, lonely and
unproductive
Consumer Reports on Health, March 1999
Why Am I at Risk?
• Canadian seniors make up 12% of the
population
• Seniors receive 28-40% of all medications
prescribed
• Seniors are often taking several
medications which can interact with each
other and cause many side effects
• Aging makes seniors more sensitive to
medication effects
Get the Most out of Your
Medications
Examples of medication problems:
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What are drugs?
• Prescription medicines
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Social drugs
• e.g. alcohol, caffeine in tea &
chocolate, tobacco
• Traditional & Herbal Remedies
• Street drugs
• ALL drugs change the way your
body normally functions
• Used together, they may alter
the effects of each other
• ALL drugs can be harmful if
you don’t use them wisely
Drug Names
• Every drug has two names:
• BRAND name
• GENERIC / CHEMICAL name
• The Chemical name is most important
and can be identified anywhere
• You should know or write down both
names of all of your medications
Pharmacists – Drug Experts
• Education
• Minimum 5 years university with focus on all
aspects of drug use and development
• Ongoing quality assurance standards
• Communication
• Enhancing skills an important part of university and
continuing education
• Confidentiality
• a legal and ethical requirement for all pharmacists
How Can My Pharmacist
Help?
• Answer my questions about my
medications
• Help me choose the right
non-prescription drug if I need one
• Put my drugs in an easy-to-open
container
• Make a larger and easy-to-read label
• Discuss how to take my medications
appropriately
• Discuss side effects of medications
• Discuss drug and non-drug options to
improve my health
• Discuss how to store my medications
• Refer me to the proper resource e.g.
diabetes centres, support groups,
physicians, dietitians, foot care etc.
Always make sure you
understand….
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the correct dose as prescribed
the expected benefits of your medication
the best time of day to take your medications
whether to be taken with or without food
what other medications (prescription or otherwise) or foods may interact
all precautions (including alcohol)
side effects to expect and others to be aware of
If unsure of any of the above or know of
any difficulty in taking medication as
prescribed…
ASK YOUR PHARMACIST
Storage of Medications
• Store in a cool, dry place away
from sunlight and humidity
• The bathroom is NOT the best
place
• The bedside is also NOT the best
place
• Keep medicines out of the reach
of children especially if your
containers are “easy-open”
• Most pills and capsules are
NOT kept in the refrigerator
• Some medicines need to be
kept in the container given to
you by the pharmacist
• e.g. Nitroglycerin for chest pain
• Keep your medicines in the
original container unless you
use a special “pill box”
Expired Medication
• Who has the oldest
medication?
• Never throw out medication in
your garbage
• Return old medicines to your
pharmacist
• Ask your pharmacist about
sharps containers
Side Effects of Medication
• Side effects are extra ways that
medicines affect your body
• Include headache, dizziness,
rashes, stomach upset
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist
about what side effects to
expect from a new medication
• Report any side effects to your
doctor and pharmacist
Over-the-Counter
Medicines
• Do NOT require a prescription
• Can interact with your prescription
medicines
• Can cause side effects or make a
medical condition worse
• ALWAYS check with your doctor or
pharmacist first
• Over-the-counter medications
should not be taken for long
periods of time
• If you are not feeling better after
3-5 days, see your doctor
Herbals: Myths and Realities
• Myth: Herbal products are safe
because they are “natural”
• Myth: Herbs are not drugs
•
About 25% of modern prescription drugs
are obtained from natural or botanical
sources
• Myth: I don’t need to tell my doctor
or pharmacist about the herbs I am
taking
• Fact: “Natural” doesn’t
necessarily mean safe
• Fact: Herbs can interact with
your medications and can
worsen your medical conditions
Herbals: The Positives
• Available over-the-counter
• Some herbs have been proven
effective
• Some of today’s useful
medicines were originally herbs
• Psychological benefit
Herbals: The Negatives
• Lack of safety data, especially longterm
• Lack of quality control of exact
ingredients, potency, purity
• Lack of studies to prove they work
• Lack of safety in pregnancy,
lactation, and for use in children
• Use can delay more effective therapy
• Cost
Herbals: The Bottom Line
• Tell your doctor & pharmacist if you
are taking herbal products and list
them on your medication card
Compliance Aids
• Daily or weekly pill boxes
• Let your pharmacist help you make a
schedule that suits your lifestyle
• Keep a chart or a calendar (post it on
the fridge)
• Set alarm clocks!
• Be creative!
Safe Medication Card
• A list of all of your medicines
• Include herbals, over-the-counter
medicines and vitamins
• For you, your doctor and other health
professionals
• Keep it with you at all times (wallet,
pocket, purse)
• Keeps you safe in a health emergency,
when traveling and everyday!
Additional Pharmacy
Services
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Refill reminders
Filling of pill boxes
Trial prescriptions
Home health care products
Home visits
Help patients manage diabetes, asthma,
high blood pressure, etc.
• Medication Review (MedsCheck Program)
MedsCheck Program
• New in 2007
• One-on-one consultation with a pharmacist
• Once/year for initial consult; once/year for
a follow-up under specific circumstances
• Using 3 or more medications on a regular
basis
• Cost covered by Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care
MedsCheck Program
Who will benefit?
• Trouble managing medications or remembering to
take them
• Multiple physicians/specialists
• Complicated medication schedule
• Significant changes to medication routine in the last
3 months
• Taking medications which must be carefully
monitored (e.g. warfarin)
• Recently released from hospital
MedsCheck Program
What should I expect?
• 20 to 30 minutes private consultation
• By appointment
• Resulting in comprehensive medication list to
share with doctor and other health care
providers
• Bring all medication containers
– Rx and OTC from all pharmacies
– Herbal and natural products
– Ointments and eye drops
Why Me?
• I want to take control of my medications
• I want to understand my medications and
how they affect my body and how I feel
• I want to stay healthy and be safe taking
my medication
The Do’s & Don’ts of
Safe Medication Use
• DON’T expect a prescription every time you visit
your Doctor
• DON’T share your medicines
• DO use a Medication Card/MedsCheck list to
keep a list of all of your medications and
conditions in your wallet
• DO tell your Doctor and Pharmacist about ALL the
drugs you use (even OTC and herbals)
• DO visit the same pharmacy for all of your
medication needs and visit only one family
Doctor
• If you do visit any other health care
professionals, tell your Doctor
• DO beware of interactions (food, drug, alcohol)
• DO participate in your health care and talk to
health care professionals about non-drug
options
• DO check with your Pharmacist or Doctor
before you buy or use an over-thecounter product
• DON’T use medication that is expired
and bring your expired medications to
your Pharmacist for disposal
• DO keep your medications in the original
bottle unless using a pill box or
compliance aid
ASK YOUR PHARMACIST
• Any questions?
• Medication cards
• Presentation questionnaire
Pharmacists and patients working
together to get the most from
your medications!
Special thanks to the Ontario
Seniors’ Secretariat for their
support of this program.
Tips for Snowbirds
• Bring your medication record with you
• all drugs (both names), phone numbers for
pharmacy, doctors, etc.
• Be careful of storage
• Vacation Supply
• requirements for Ontario Drug Benefit
• Some medications may make you more
sensitive to the sun: Ask your pharmacist!
Colds & Infections
• Colds are caused by viruses
and will go away on their own
in ~ 7 days
• ALWAYS check with your
Pharmacist or Doctor before
you use any over-the-counter
medication
Colds & Infections
• You should not expect a
prescription every time you go to
the Doctor
• If you have a bacterial infection,
the Doctor will write you a
prescription for an antibiotic
• DO NOT STOP taking the
antibiotics even if you feel better
Influenza : “The Flu”
• Like colds, influenza is caused by a
virus and has similar symptoms
• Usually involves the whole body,
lasts longer (~10 days) and is more
intense
• High fever, chills, sore throat,
congestion, cough, headache,
muscle soreness, stomach upset
• Antibiotics are not effective
Influenza : “The Flu”
• Flu season is generally from late
December to early March
• Transmission is via air or direct
contact (e.g. hand shaking)
• People over 65 years, nursing home
residents, and people with heart or
lung problems or diabetes are
especially at risk for serious
consequences
• Everyone should get a “flu shot” to
prevent spread of the disease
Influenza Vaccine
• Vaccination of dead influenza
viruses that cause the body to
make antibodies to fight
against the viruses
• Should be given early in the flu
season (October to November)
• Takes about 2 weeks to take
effect
Sample Medication Record