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Savvy Senior: Medication Management
By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

I worry that my mother is taking too many prescription drugs. Mom is 78 and fairly healthy, but currently is taking eight different medications for a variety of health problems. It seems like every time she goes to the doctor she gets a new prescription. I am concerned that she is taking to many drugs, and that mixing all these different medications can't be a good. Is there any way to help mom manage her medications so she doesn't have to take so many pills?
Medicated Mary

Dear Mary,
Medication misuse is a big problem in the United States today. In fact, it's estimated that each year, 2.2 million Americans are hospitalized, and 200,000 more die, because of adverse reactions to medications. Here's what you should know.

Medication can be a double-edged sword that has the power heal and to harm. The right medication, in the right amount, to the right patient can produce medical miracles. But, medicine affects different people in different ways and can cause dangerous reactions. People over age 65 are especially vulnerable to medication problems, due to the biological changes that occur with aging, and because many seniors tend to take multiple medications at the same time for various health problems.

Misuse
Medication misuse refers to giving the right medication but the wrong dose, the wrong medicine for a particular condition, or two or more drugs that interact dangerously. Any of these scenarios in seniors can cause, aggravate, or contribute to problems, including: confusion, hallucinations, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, falls, insomnia, loss of coordination, dry mouth and memory loss, all of which can lead to a decreased quality of life, loss of independence, hospitalization and even death.

The Problem
The main reason medication-related problems occur with seniors is because very few doctors have any training in geriatrics. Too often, illness is misdiagnosed, overlooked, or dismissed as a normal part of aging because health professionals are not trained to recognize how diseases and drugs affect older people. If a greater number of health care professionals had better training and understanding of medications and their effects in older persons, many problems could be avoided.

The Solution
To make the best use of your medicines, it's important to take an active role in decisions about your treatment, follow your treatment plan as prescribed, watch out for problems and get help in solving them should they occur. Most medicine problems can be avoided or solved by communicating with your doctor and/or pharmacist. Here are some key points to talk to your doctor about when a new drug is prescribed:

--Ask about the risks and benefits of each medicine.
--Find out what side effects the medicine may have, and what to do if they occur.
--Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are already taking, if you are being treated by another doctor for something else, and if you have any allergies or side effects from any particular medicines.
--Find out how often you will be monitored for the medicine's effects.
--Know and follow your treatment plan. For example, how long and how often you should take the medication, should it be taken with food, or not, and what to do if you miss a dose.

Savvy Resources
--American Society of Consultant Pharmacists: Provides a free packet of information on medication-related problems, including a list of dangerous drug interactions. They also offer a nationwide list of senior care pharmacists that help older patients identify and prevent medication problems by managing their medications. Visit www.seniorcarepharmacist.com or call 1-800-355-2727.

--National Council on Patient Information and Education: A nonprofit coalition that provides free consumer publications on the appropriate use of medicines and how to better manage them. Visit www.talkaboutrx.org or call 301-656-8565.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.