Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Certified Senior Advisor and Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. My father is on several medications. How can I make sure any new prescriptions work properly with his current medications?
A. It is so important to make sure all medications we take are working together properly. Many people have more than one doctor prescribing medication, so this is where things can get tricky. I suggest carefully reviewing all medications for your father. The best way to do this is by speaking with a representative from your father’s primary care team. If the doctor does not offer a medication review, ask specifically for this. Prepare for the medication review by making a list of all medications he is taking. List the dosages as well as the specific diagnosis and symptoms the medication is intended to treat. If the medication has helped your father improve, make a note of that as well. Make sure to discuss dosages. Sometimes, seniors are taking medication at too high or too low of doses which can lead to light headedness or dizziness. So much of the time, falls happen due to medication mismanagement. If your father is taking over the counter supplements, list those as well. They are just as important to discuss. Finally, make sure a discussion about drug interactions takes place. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember, your pharmacist is also a great resource for help with your medication questions. It is surprising at how many people don’t know why they are taking certain medications! Some people have a private nurse assist with medication review. This is where a nurse reviews medications and communicates with a physician’s office to ensure medication safety at all times. A periodic medication review will help your father safely manage his prescriptions. Contact our office at 847-429-0100 if you would like to talk more about medication management. We would be happy to answer questions about this.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
