The U.S. Census Bureau reports that beginning in 2011 the number of baby boomers aged 65 and over is projected to rise faster than the total population in all states. This population will continue to increase until 2030, when one U.S. citizen in five will be older than 65 years of age. The implications are enormous in terms of healthcare delivery and client education to ensure medication safety.

Physiological changes that occur with the normal aging process contribute to the dilemma of polypharmacy–taking a variety of drugs together–and adverse drug events. Older livers and kidneys do not metabolize drugs as well as they did in the younger days. There is an increased risk for drug accumulation and toxicities, especially with drugs with narrow therapeutic indexes.

Many seniors take drugs to maintain normal body functioning, such as medications to lower blood pressure, maintain heart rates, maintain fluid balance, optimize gastrointestinal functioning, and manage musculoskeletal complaints such as arthritic pain. Patients taking pills to help manage each symptom and condition of aging can be challenging for healthcare providers.

Here are some recommendations for prevention of polypharmacy and adverse drug events. These helpful tips can be passed along to seniors:

• Know the reason for your medications, how to take them, and for how long
• Maintain a current list of your drugs and take it with you to each doctor’s appointment
• Keep a copy of your medication list with you at all times
• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to use a database to check your drug list for drug interactions
• Make sure you understand how to take your medication correctly and whether there are any special instructions that require your attention
• Check with your healthcare provider about what action you should take if you miss a dose of your medication
• Check with your healthcare provider before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product or herbal supplement
• If you have problems with vision or memory, designate a family member or friend to assist with your medication administration
• Use a pillbox or calendar to assist you with remembering to take and organizing your medications
• When in doubt, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to review your medication list and instructions with you
• Be familiar with common side effects of the drugs you take

And here are some tips for you. Ask these questions when assessing a client for polypharmacy:

• Do you take more than one prescription medication?
• Do you take any dietary supplements, vitamins, or OTC or herbal medicines?
• Do you have more than one healthcare provider providing you with prescriptions?
• Do you fill your prescriptions at more than one pharmacy?
• Do you live alone?
• Do you have problems with your vision or memory?
• Do you sometimes forget to take your medications?
• Do you have anyone to help you with your medications?
• What are your concerns regarding your medications?

Editor’s note: This excerpt is from HCPro’s new book Stressed Out About Drug Interactions. It will be published in April.