BRUNSWICK

Senior care experts from both business and nonprofit backgrounds recently shared resources on helping keep aging relatives safe while managing their medications.

According to Home Instead Senior Care, a new survey reveals nearly one-fifth of those taking five or more prescription drugs have had difficulty keeping track of their medications.

Bill Jenks of the Home Instead franchise covering Cumberland County said managing numerous medications is a challenge for anybody, but for folks over 70 those problems get worse.

From dangerous interactions of drugs prescribed by more than one doctor to missed doses and double-dosing when you forgot you took the first pill, there are any number of dangers seniors face.

“It’s important for people to understand, really what all the meds are that they’re taking,” Jenks said.

Not only that, but all doctors need to be on the same page regarding what they are prescribing.

Jenks said the vast majority of seniors, when asked, will insist they are managing their medications just fine. Upon further investigation, he said mistakes and confusion are revealed.

Jenks said most seniors are afraid to admit to having difficulties for fear of losing their independence.

“What our program is about is to give people — family care givers — the resources they need to be as sure as they can be that their grandparents or whoever they care for (that) things are being managed properly,” Jenks said.

A big problem Jenks pointed out is forgetfulness. He said the easiest way of helping with a relative who forgets their medications is to simply call them, but even that comes with risks.

Jenks said often seniors experiencing memory issues will become defensive and proclaim they know what they’re doing — again, over fear of losing their independence.

Jenks said there are medication dispensers that go a step beyond the Monday through Sunday plastic cartridges that have proven effective. The machine is pre-loaded and will dispense needed medications at specific times. When the medication is dispensed, an alarm will beep until the medication is removed.

Jenks said his company gets involved in senior fairs, but a good first step is to look up resources on their website, LetsTalkAboutRx.com.

There, Jenks said, care givers can find resources on how to bring up the issue of medication management with their family members in a way that will not threaten their independence or question their judgment.

Southern Maine Agency on Aging

Larry Gross, executive director for the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, said the organization recently took part in a four-year project with MediCare on how to reduce the re-hospitalization of seniors.

Gross said they found medication errors to be the single greatest cause.

Gross said they worked with more than 8,000 seniors over the course of the study and the resounding advice time and again has been that if you don’t know what you are taking a medication for, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

According to Gross, there are a number of ways medication errors occur. One easy mistake seniors make is being given an generic medication in the hospital setting and having the name brand at home. Once the senior returns home, they continue to take both — a dangerous combination for many medications.

Often times, Gross said a patient is going through discharge at the hospital and all they can think about is going home. Naturally, they nod their head in agreement to everything, only to find themselves confused at home.

Also, people taking multiple medications with chronic conditions will often have varying doses on hand from medication adjustments, which makes it easy for them to take the wrong dose.

Precautions people can take involve keeping a prescription and over-the-counter medication notebook to keep track of what you are taking and why. Another is to fill all your prescriptions at one pharmacy so potential interactions can be flagged before you take them.

Gross said the final piece of the puzzle is the number of seniors halving prescriptions due to cost. For this, Gross encourages seniors to work with nonprofit groups like the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, where their people can try to fit seniors into Medicare plans that fit their budget.

The help is free and the program is nationwide. Last year, counselors saved more than $800,000 — that’s nearly $1,700 per person they’ve helped in out-of-pocket and insurance costs.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com

Helpful tips

• PRECAUTIONS PEOPLE can take involve keeping a prescription and over-the-counter medication notebook to keep track of what you are taking and why.

• ANOTHER IS TO FILL all your prescriptions at one pharmacy so potential interactions can be flagged before you take them.