50+ Lifestyles

Avoiding Potential Medication Risks

By Mike Mathews
Milestones Area Agency on Aging

As you get older, the way medications work in your body can change. And while medications are very important in helping to control many illnesses, they may also have serious side effects. Each year, older adults are twice as likely to be hospitalized or visit the ER because of medication related illnesses including falls, dizziness, heart issues or confusion.

What Can You Do?

Be pro-active. Regularly talk with your health care professional (doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or physician assistant) about your medicines to lower your chance of having medicine related problems. Tell him or her about any reactions or side effects you may have. When you talk with your health care professional, provide a list of all your medications, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, natural products and supplements. Your professional needs to know everything you take in order to help you get the best treatment and avoid medicines that can affect your balance, brain function, and/or your ability to think, understand, learn, plan, and remember.

Your professional needs to know everything you take in order to help you get the best treatment and avoid medicines that can affect your balance, brain function, and/or your ability to think, understand, learn, plan, and remember. While it may be tempting to stop taking a medication because of negative side effects, abruptly stopping a medicine can be dangerous. An exception is if you have an allergic reaction such as a rash, hives, swelling, wheezing or difficulty breathing. An allergic reaction to medication is dangerous and needs to be reported immediately. If you are having trouble breathing, call 911 right away.

When to Seek a Medication Review

If you answer “YES” to some or all of these questions, you may benefit from a medication review.

I see multiple doctors or fill prescriptions at multiple pharmacies.

I take over-the-counter drugs or supplements

I have recently been to the ER or hospital because I experienced a fall, dizziness or confusion

I take blood thinners, heart medications, diabetes medications, or seizure medications

I take pain medications, heart medications, sedatives or anti-depressants

I have 3 or more prescriptions and just received a new diagnosis or additional prescription(s)

HomeMeds Through Milestones

HomeMeds is a medication safety review that provides an individualized, confidential assessment of all medications
prescribed and non-prescribed. It uses an evidence-based software tool to identify and screen for potential medication problems which may increase risks for falls and other negative health outcomes. If any problems are found, a trained pharmacist can help you and your prescribers follow through to resolve potential issues.

For more information on the HomeMeds program, please call Milestones at (855) 410-6222.

Milestones Area Agency on Aging offers Falls Prevention courses along with other wellness programs. To inquire
about current programs, please call (855) 410-6222 or visit milestonesaaa.org.