Seniors careful with meds

By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer

July 15, 2008 12:15 am

— For some senior citizens, safely managing their medications can be troublesome.
Because seniors take the majority of medications and have the most reported reactions to drugs, they are an at-risk population for poisoning, warns the Oklahoma Poison Control Center.
In a media release, Lee McGoodwin, managing director of the center, detailed the danger.
“As we age, how the body handles medications can change, leaving seniors more at risk for side effects and drug interactions,” he said.
The center estimates that, on average, seniors over the age of 55 take four to five prescribed medications and three over-the-counter products. Over-the-counter medications include vitamins, calcium, aspirin, pain relievers and laxatives.
Karen Sedberry, information and assistance specialist with the Area Agency on Aging, said it is important for seniors to take their medications as directed by their physician.
“For instance, a lot of seniors are on blood thinners,” she said. “If they miss taking them, it could cause a heart or stroke problem. Or, if they take too many, it could be dangerous.”
Sedberry believes the various types of pill organization devices on the market are both convenient and useful.
“A lot of seniors are active and so busy,” she said. “With a pill organizer, they could keep track. I think an organizer is a good system for managing their medication.”
Sedberry said her agency has a limited supply of one-week pill organizers that are free to people 60 or older who call 682-7891.
For a wider selection, seniors can consider what’s available at a drug store, such as the Walgreen Drug Store on Chandler Road.
Christian Brodersen, executive assistant manager, described some of the choices available.
“The Pharmadose pill manager has a child deterrent, with compartments divided Sunday through Saturday horizontally, and vertical divisions for morning, noon, evening and bedtime,” he said.
A larger container called Practidose offers approximately twice the capacity with a similar design. Another option is the Medtime Planner where each individual day and time of day has its own snap-top lid.
There also is a stackable pill organizer with translucent round containers for each day of the week.
“If wanted, the user can take off the top container and screw it into the bottom of the stack,” Brodersen said. “That way, you’re rotating through the week.”
Among the more simple pill managers is a single-row container with one compartment for every day of the week, each one clearly marked.
“For people who might be traveling and place their pill manager on the dashboard, there is a container with protection from ultraviolet light that might alter the medication,” he said.
Brodersen showed a small single-compartment container with a snap-top lid for pocket or purse, good for something like a day trip. He also showed a canister version that hangs from a key chain. Finally, there were plastic bags that offered the option of being airtight and moisture proof.

Poison prevention tips for seniors
• Keep a list of medications, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products. Write down the name, dose and when it is to be taken.
• Learn about the medicine being taken as well as possible reactions and side effects.
• Use one pharmacy, if possible, so the pharmacist can check for possible interactions between medications.
• Write down when medicine is given and how much. This will help decrease the chances of missing doses or taking more than needed.
• Practice proper storage and disposal of medications, cleaning products, personal care products and toxic chemicals.
• Keep all medicine, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbals, out of sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Post the poison control center number, (800) 222-1222, in a visible location.
Source: Oklahoma Poison
Control Center.

Free

The Area Agency on Aging has a limited supply of one-week pill organizers that are free to people 60 or older: 682-7891.
Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email

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