Seniors and Pain
Giving Medications
It can be extremely frustrating for caregivers when aged loved ones refuse to take medicine or cooperate with prescribed treatment. Especially challenging is the fact that many older Americans have chronic medical conditions that require the coordination of several drug therapies.
In fact, the FDA reports that the average older person is taking more than four prescription medications and two over-the-counter (OTC) medications at once.1 In addition, the National Institute on Aging reports that people aged 65 and older consume more prescription and over-the-counter medicines than any other age group.2 The misuse, overuse or underuse of drugs can put the patient at risk for toxic interactions, undesirable side effects and other potentially dangerous outcomes.
The reasons behind noncompliance are varied and include:
In fact, the FDA reports that the average older person is taking more than four prescription medications and two over-the-counter (OTC) medications at once.1 In addition, the National Institute on Aging reports that people aged 65 and older consume more prescription and over-the-counter medicines than any other age group.2 The misuse, overuse or underuse of drugs can put the patient at risk for toxic interactions, undesirable side effects and other potentially dangerous outcomes.
The reasons behind noncompliance are varied and include:
- Poor patient education or understanding
- Undesirable side effects
- Dementia, senility or other memory disorders
- Literacy problems
- Arthritis, bad eyesight or other physical disabilities
- Financial difficulties
- Having an open conversation with your loved one about his or her reasons behind not taking medicine properly. Work together to find a solution that you both can live with.
- Telling each doctor and pharmacist all the prescription and OTC medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements your loved one is currently taking, in addition to any past (or present) negative side effects or allergies to foods or drugs.
- Using one pharmacy to fill all prescriptions to help protect from potentially dangerous interactions.
- Talking to the pharmacist about how and when the drug should be taken and follow the directions given.
- Asking for oversized, easily opened bottles and/or bottles with large labels. The easier it is for your loved one to access the medicine, the more likely he or she is to use it.
- Go through your loved one’s cabinets and discard all expired or unnecessary medicines. Clear out a distinct space for prescriptions (preferably not in the bathroom, where the steam and heat may cause damage) and organize them for easy access.
- Make sure the medication received is the one prescribed and the right dose prescribed.
- Take notes about medication side effects and talk about any concerns with the doctor. Be sure to pass along any information your loved one may have mentioned as a reason he or she is not taking the medicine.
- Develop a system to take – or administer – all medication. Write directions down on charts or calendars, or use a timer, a dated pill box, an alarmed prescription bottle or other memory devices to help ensure the medication is taken properly. Alzstore provides unique and useful medication delivery devices for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Medications and Older People Report. Accessed March 11, 2008.
- NIH Senior Health web site. Accessed March 11, 2008.