Medications That Elevate the Risk of Falls in Older Adults

What springs to mind when you think of preventing falls in older adults? Putting more lights in the home? Removing clutter and other tripping hazards? Keeping the floors dry and clean? These are all crucial elements of fall prevention, but there is another common cause to keep in mind: medication side effects. Many older adults […]

Questions to Ask When Filling a New Prescription Medication

You have just left the physician’s office with Mom. She is forwarding a new prescription to the pharmacy which should be ready once you get there. Your plan is to zip through the drive-through window, collect the meds, and take Mom to lunch. However, you are missing an important step. When filling a new prescription medication for […]

What to Do when a Senior Refuses Prescribed Medicine

“I’m not taking that! I don’t need any medicine!” If you’ve heard an older family member declare this or any other sentiment to rationalize not taking the medication their doctor prescribed, you appreciate how frustrating and concerning it is. There are a number of reasons a loved one may avoid adhering to doctors’ orders, from […]

Multiple Elderly Health Issues May Be Associated with More Adverse Drug Effects

Anyone who has taken a prescription medication knows that it normally includes a comprehensive list of possible adverse side effects to watch for. Even though prescriptions are, of course, intended to help us, the harm that could result from these negative reactions can often outweigh the benefit. For older adults, nearly all of whom take […]