As a person gets older, there is a good chance that they will need to take at least one prescription drug at some point. Senior citizens often end up taking multiple daily. These are necessary to help them continue living healthily and to manage symptoms or treat conditions.

Studies have found that 87% of seniors take one prescribed medication while 36% take five or more. And 38% of seniors use some kind of over-the-counter medication.

Medications come with instructions that explain when to take them and how much to take. This is essential to the optimal function of the drug. Not following the guidelines or those provided by your doctor could lessen the beneficial effects or put you at risk of complications.

MD Senior Living encourages all elderly adults to manage their health starting with medications. A few extra steps now can help you stay organized and stick to your doctor-recommended schedule. What can you do now to practice safe medication management?

• Understand the Requirements of Your Medication

Some medications are meant to be taken with fluids or foods. Make sure you know the requirements of your prescriptions before you start taking them. Your doctor will likely go over this information with you, but it should also be printed on the bottle or package.

Some medications may have other effects that could alter your ability to do certain activities. For example, some can make the patient drowsy and should be taken during a time when they can rest.

Always consult your doctor if you don’t understand the requirements of your prescription.

• Know When You Have to Take Your Medicine

Taking your medicine on time is important. Many prescriptions are meant to relieve symptoms or treat a condition over days or weeks. This is because you have to maintain a certain level of the medicine in your body to get the desired results.

Antibiotics are a common example of this. If you are prescribed antibiotics, you’ll likely be told to take them once per so many hours. That’s because your body needs enough antibiotics to stay in it to remove bacterial infections. If there aren’t enough, then the infection may not go away.

It is usually best to have a schedule that works for you when taking medication. That way your treatment fits comfortably with your daily routine.

• Don’t Wait to Get Your Refills Ready

Forgetting to request refills is a common problem and one that can lead to problematic delays. If you are taking a medication that will require one or more refills, make sure you pay attention to the necessary dates.

Setting reminders on your phone or other device is a good way to avoid missing a refill.

Assisted living makes refilling medications simple. Facilities handle this task for residents. Enhancing the quality of life for your senior loved one is easier when you have a team of professionals available to handle prescription refills.

• Presort Your Pills into Daily Boxes

One of the best ways to handle medication management on your own is by using pill boxes. Most pharmacies and grocery stores sell specially made containers that consist of small compartments marked with the days of the week. These can be purchased in one-week or month-long sizes.

Forgetting to take your medication can be risky and can lead to under or overdosing. These boxes prevent this problem by letting you plan out each day. No electronic devices are required. Simply fill your boxes each time you get your prescription filled and you are good to go!

• Tell Your Doctor About Over-the-Counter Medications

If you take over-the-counter medications or supplements, make sure you share this information with your doctor. They need to know what you are putting in your body to ensure that nothing will conflict with your prescriptions.

Even if you only take a senior vitamin, your doctor needs to know. They may also be able to recommend over-the-counter products that might work better based on your unique medical needs.

• Monitor for Side Effects and Changes

Medications can cause side effects. These may be minor but can become severe in some cases. This is especially important for seniors who are taking a new prescription or those who take multiple that could have interaction concerns.

If you notice any unexplained changes in your physical or mental health, speak to your doctor immediately. They can guide you to ways to avoid or minimize side effects or can advise you if you should stop taking a medication that could be causing a bad reaction.

• Do Not Hold on to Old Prescriptions

Prescriptions do not last forever. They have an expiration date. Taking an expired drug can cause serious problems or may not be strong enough to have the desired effect.

It is best to not risk your health with an expired prescription. Instead, dispose of anything that you no longer need or that is expired. This will also help prevent confusion when taking other medications – and it will keep your medicine cabinet tidy.

• Use Assisted Living Medication Management Services

Assisted living helps seniors stay healthy. That’s why MD Senior Living offers medication management services. We handle the administration of all prescriptions. Residents can rest easy knowing that they will get the right dose at the right time.

Medication management service reduces stress and prevents a potentially dangerous situation caused by a missed dose or overdose.

A team of doctors oversees MD Senior Living facilities. This allows us to provide the highest level of care possible. We understand the importance of medications and ensure that residents get what they need.

• Keep Up with Doctor’s Appointments

Your doctor’s job is never done. They need to know how you are doing and if your medication is working. Keep up with appointments, even if you aren’t having any issues or experiencing side effects. Regular appointments also give you an opportunity to ask questions or discuss concerns related to prescriptions or health status.

Safe medication management is a must for all senior citizens. Whether you live independently or are in an assisted living community, you need to keep up with your doctor-prescribed medications.