Medication for Seniors: Common Errors and Ways to Prevent Them

As older adults, we often take five or more prescription drugs to manage multiple chronic health conditions, a situation known as polypharmacy, which significantly raises our risk of medication errors. These errors can lead to serious health consequences, including hospitalisation and even death. 

Gaining a clear understanding of medications for seniors, along with the common errors that may arise during their use, is crucial for enhancing medication adherence, maximising the effectiveness of each treatment, and ensuring our overall safety.

Common Medication Errors Among Seniors

Skipping doses

One prevalent medication error among seniors is skipping doses, whether intentionally to save money or unintentionally due to forgetfulness. Missing a dose can have serious repercussions, particularly for chronic conditions like diabetes, where not taking medicines can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels. To mitigate this issue, use reminders such as phone alerts or pill organisers and consult with pharmacists about cost-effective alternatives if financial constraints are a concern. 

Doubling up on medications

Another common mistake occurs when we forget whether we have taken our medication and subsequently take an extra dose. This can be particularly dangerous with medications like blood thinners or beta blockers, where overdosing can result in severe side effects such as excessive bleeding or dangerously low blood pressure. To avoid this error, it is advised to utilise pill organisers with compartments for each day or time of the day and consult a pharmacist if unsure about whether to take a missed dose. 

Misunderstanding instructions

We might also misinterpret medication instructions, leading to improper dosing or timing. This confusion can arise from complex regimens involving multiple medications with different instructions. For example, taking medication without food when it requires it can diminish its effectiveness or lead to adverse effects. To combat this, healthcare providers should ensure that instructions are clear and that we, as patients, understand them fully; using larger print and simplified language can also help. 

Ignoring food interactions

Certain medications for seniors require specific dietary considerations; failing to adhere to these can lead to ineffective treatment or harmful interactions. For instance, some drugs may need to be taken with food, while others should not be consumed alongside particular foods or beverages like grapefruit juice. Read all medication labels carefully and consult healthcare professionals about potential food interactions to avoid these errors.

Understanding medications for seniors and recognising the most common errors that we might encounter while taking them allows us to significantly enhance our safety and well-being while managing our health conditions.