Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Medications

Medication mistakes cause at least one death every day in this country and injure roughly 1.3 million every year, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. People aged 65 and older are especially vulnerable to medical errors, for reasons that are described below.

Caregivers can play a vital role in keeping seniors healthy by familiarizing themselves with the most common medication errors — and taking the following steps to preventing them.

Daily aspirin therapy is heralded as a lifesaving treatment for many people. But while it’s a smart course for some, it’s not advisable for everyone. Wondering whether or not a daily aspirin is right for your aging loved one? Here’s a closer look at what the Mayo Clinic has to say about daily aspirin therapy.

The number of seniors in the US taking three or more psychiatric drugs more than doubled in the nine-year period between 2004 and 2013, according to a recent study as reported by The New York Times. While this figure is troubling in itself, even more so is that fact that nearly half seniors taking these medications have no mental health diagnoses on record. What does this mean for seniors and caregivers? Here’s a closer look at the issue.

"Med pass" is a complex process, but well worth investing the time and effort to get it right. Not only does an efficient, well-executed med pass help prevent dangerous medication errors, but it also frees up staff to devote more time to other aspects of patient care. This piece takes a closer look at the topic of administering medication in care settings while highlighting several best practices for before, during and after medication distribution. 

Many older Americans are turning to a surprising source for alleviating for their age-related aches and pains, according to a recent report from The San Diego Union-Tribune: medical marijuana. However, this can be tricky territory for caregivers given that the drug is banned by federal law, and has only been approved for medical use in 29 states. Here’s a closer look at the issue. 

If you are caring for someone with dementia, you've probably wondered if there are medications that can ease the symptoms or halt the progression of the condition. Unfortunately, there is no magic pharmaceutical bullet, but there are some dementia medications that can help some patients.

Nearly a third of the U.S. population will develop shingles, and almost half of all cases occur in people over the age of 60, according to the CDC. Let's take a closer look at this common disease, from signs and symptoms to prevention and treatment.

What is Shingles?

Also called zoster or herpes zoster, shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus. When you recover from chickenpox, the virus does not leave your body but instead becomes dormant. Years later -- for reasons unknown -- it can reactivate in the form of shingles.

While stem cells are a hot topic, not everyone understands what they are and their potential when it comes to regenerative medicine. Many researchers and medical experts believe that stem cells hold great promise for the future in  treating and curing disease, but there are some obstacles along the way. Let's take a closer look at the science behind stem cells, what they do, and what this means for patients and caregivers.

As many as 71 percent of nursing home residents who are receiving Medicaid are also taking a psychoactive medication, according to one University of South Florida study. While these drugs can serve a very real purpose in treating certain medical conditions, they can also be misused and/or lead to dangerous interactions with other drugs. Let's take a closer look at psychoactive medications, along with what caregivers need to know to help safeguard the health and wellness of aging loved ones.

Adults over the age of 65 are predicted to make up 16.6 percent of the United States population by the year 2020, according to an article in the journal, Health Affairs.

With this aging population comes a number of challenges, including everything from a shortage of qualified healthcare providers to the increasing need for senior housing. One vital issue claiming a top spot on the list of concerns facing a senior-centric society is polypharmacy and related complexities involved in the management of multiple medications. In response, a breadth and depth of medication dispenser options have emerged aimed at helping seniors and their caregivers efficiently and effectively overcome this obstacle. Let's take a closer look at the role medication dispensers can play in safeguarding senior health, along with tips for choosing the best one for your unique needs.