How Pharmacists Can Help

With nine out of ten adults over the age of 65 taking some form of daily medication, and more than half taking four or more, seniors have plenty of opportunity to get to know their local pharmacist. With their knowledge of prescription and over the counter drugs, as well as how they can affect and interact with one another, there are several ways pharmacists can play a role in a senior’s health care plan.

• Medication adherence: With many adults taking so many varieties of medication, sometimes spacing them out to six or seven different times per day, making mistakes is common among seniors. Your pharmacist can sit with you and discuss your list of medications, letting you know what can be taken together and what can’t, and potentially reduce your overall times taking medications to a much more manageable number.

• Medication education: Many seniors get their prescriptions and only have at most a cursory understanding of what each pill is, and what the intention for it is, which can lead to medication mismanagement. By receiving education about the role of each medication, the importance of each one can be fully appreciated, and make seniors more likely to remember to take it successfully.

• Prescription assistance: Almost half of all seniors in the last twelve months have reported experiencing problems accessing drugs through their drug plan. A pharmacist can help you find more affordable alternatives to your medications, either by suggesting generic versions or by informing you of rebates, coupons or discounts. Many pharmacists are quite skilled at and eager to help you find new ways to save on medications.