Seniors Taking Prescription Drugs - Help I’m Confused

Nearly nine in ten (89%) adults 65 and older report they are currently taking any prescription medicine (Data Note: Prescription Drugs and Older Adults | KFF). According to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, people aged 65 to 69 take an average of 15 prescriptions a year, and those 80-84 take 18 prescriptions a year (The Hidden Drug Epidemic Among Older People - The New York Times (nytimes.com).

Mom, like most seniors, takes prescription drugs. She takes 3, which is not bad for someone of her age, especially considering the statistics above. She has been taking these same medications consistently for the past three years. Mom adopted her own system so she can remember when she must take which pill, by writing down what pill she takes and at what time. There have been only a few occasions where she has missed a pill or taken the incorrect one. She does not vary from her process. I think that is pretty good, based on what I read about seniors and taking medications.

While Mom can manage her medications on her own, there are two things that continually occur. The first is running out of medications. I cannot count the number of times that Mom comes to me to tell me she only has one pill or less remaining. This is frustrating because she takes the pills every day and should know when she is running out. I have asked her to please let me know when she has about seven days left. Yet, she continues to inform me when she is down to one pill. I must rush out to pick up the refill. This is a bit of an inconvenience, but I do what I must do. I know there are ways to address this issue by getting mail order, but her insurance does not offer that and will only allow 30-day prescriptions.

The second is her utter confusion every time she gets a prescription refill. I do not get it. She is great at reviewing her medicines to make sure they were refilled correctly. However, while reviewing the directions for her meds, she panics. “There has been a change,” she says. I know there has not been a change, since I am with her at the doctor, yet she is confused. With her hands on her head, shaking in panic, she summons me to discuss the medications prescribed for her. It is the same process each time. Mom asks me to read instructions and tell her what they say. I comply.  She insists these directions are different than what she has been doing. It takes several minutes to calm her and then review what she has been doing and then compare that to what the directions say.  It is the same as it has been for the past several years.

I understand why seniors forget to take their medications. It could be forgetfulness, the fact that they store them in different locations, so they are not organized and easy to access. What I do not understand is why Mom gets confused each time she receives a refill. Her meds are organized, she writes things down, she takes just three, and the process has been repeated over multiple years. I offered to get a pill organizer, a calendar to post on her wall so she can write things down and suggested that she take her meds at the same time each day. She refused it all and I am not sure of a solution.

Questions for you:

  • How many medications does the person you care for take?

  • Do you use a process or tool to help him/her stay organized? What is the process?

  • Are you familiar with some good tools to use?

 

Helpful Resources:

Taking Medicines Safely as You Age | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)

Data Note: Prescription Drugs and Older Adults | KFF

Medications for Older Adults: Commonly Recommended Types (webmd.com)

The 10 Most Prescribed Medications for the Elderly and What they Do - UEW Healthcare

 

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