There are numerous reasons why seniors do not take their medications as prescribed.
Rx Care Pharmacy, a reputable pharmacy in Orlando, Florida, lists down 4 common medication adherence problems among seniors and how you can help prevent them.
- Limited Income
After retiring, many seniors live on fixed incomes. Unfortunately, this means that many cannot afford all of the medications that they need. Low-income seniors may resort to taking less than the prescribed dose, splitting pills, or stopping their medication intake altogether.
Solution: Talk to your pharmacist and ask about their generic drug options. Generic medications feature the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts but are generally less expensive. Also, check your local pharmacy – they may offer discount programs, or the pharmacist may be aware of state prescription assistance programs that can help you purchase affordable medications in Florida and reduce your medication costs.
- Vision Problems
For older adults with vision problems, the inability to distinguish between pills or read the small print on medication labels may lead to potentially dangerous medication misuse.
Solution: Ask your pharmacist about accessible prescription medication labels. Many pharmacies offer labels with large, visible prints to make it easier to read.
- Swallowing Problems
Due to certain health conditions, some seniors often find it difficult to swallow capsules or tablets. Seniors who have difficulty swallowing may try to break, crush, chew, or mix their capsules or tablets in their drinks or food. This can be dangerous since some medications are long-acting formulas that will be released too fast when crushed or broken. Moreover, some medications will not work properly when crushed or broken.
Solution: As a general rule of thumb, never break, crush, chew, or mix medications in your drinks or food unless your doctor or pharmacist says it is okay to do so. If you, or a loved one, has trouble swallowing capsules or pills, talk to your pharmacist. Ask if the medication comes in smaller pills that are easier to swallow, or if a liquid version of the medication is available.
- Memory Loss
Seniors who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cognitive problems are prone to medication management problems. An individual with dementia may simply forget to take their medications, causing them to skip doses. They may also find it difficult to remember if they have already taken their medication, which may end up taking multiple doses.
Solution: Depending on the progression of your loved one’s dementia, a pillbox may be enough in the early stages to help them track and organize their medications. There are many types of pillboxes available today, from alarmed pillboxes, automatic dispenses, and more. Talk to your pharmacist and ask what pillboxes they have, or if they can offer other alternatives.
The Takeaway
Medication adherence is important, particularly for seniors who are more prone to medication management problems. By working with your loved one’s doctor and pharmacist, you can find solutions that can help improve their medication adherence.
