How to Keep Track of Medicines During the Busy Holiday Season

The National Institute on Aging offers some tips for seniors to help keep track of medications, not only during the holidays, but all of the time.

During the busy holiday season, it can become even more difficult for seniors to keep track of their medication, especially when multiple medications are being taken.

The National Institute on Aging offers some tips for seniors to help keep track of medications, not only during the holidays, but all of the time:

  • Make a list. Write down all medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements. The list should include the name of each medicine, amount you take, and time(s) you take it. If it’s a prescription, also note the doctor who prescribed it and reason it was prescribed. Show the list to all of your healthcare providers including physical therapists and dentists. Keep one copy in your medicine cabinet and one in your wallet or pocketbook.
  • Create a file. Save all the written information that comes with your medicines and keep it somewhere you can easily refer back to it, as needed.
  • Check expiration dates on bottles. If a medicine is past its expiration date, you may be able to dispose of it at your pharmacy. Or, check with your doctor about how to safely discard it. Your doctor can also tell you if you will need a refill.
  • Keep medicines out of reach of young children. Avoid taking medicines in front of them, as they might try to copy you. Also, if your medicines are kept in bottles without child safety caps because they are hard to open, be extra careful about where you store medicines.

Read the full article: Medicines: Use Them Safely

 

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