People age 65 and over take more prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs than any other age group. In retirement & assisted living communities, on average, residents have ten medications administered to them. One reason for this increased number of medicines is that many people in this age group have long term chronic illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Another factor is that these diagnoses are usually made by multiple physicians who may be unaware of other medications that a person is taking. For all of these reasons, it is important that seniors be sure to take their medications safely. The National Institute on Aging has recommended these suggestions for being safe with prescription and over-the-counter drugs:

•    Make a list of all the medicines you take. Show this list to all your health care providers including physical therapists and dentists. One copy of this list should be in your medicine cabinet. You should make additional copies for your wallet or pocketbook and for your spouse or family member. The list should include:

o    The name of each medicine
o    The doctor who prescribed the medicine
o    The reason it was prescribed
o    The amount you take
o    The times you take the medicine

•    Read and save all written information that comes with the medicine.

•    Take your medicine in the exact amount and at the time your doctor prescribes.

•    Call your doctor if you have any problems with your medicine. Your doctor will decide whether to change your medicine to another that may work better.

•    Use a memory aid to take your medicines on time. Some people use meals or bedtime as reminders. Other people use charts, calendars, and weekly pill boxes to remind them.

•    Do not skip doses or take half doses to save money. Instead, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you can’t afford the prescribed medicine. They may know of less costly choices or special programs to help with the cost.

•    Avoid mixing alcohol and medicine.

•    Take your medicine until it’s finished or until your doctor says it’s okay to stop.

•    Don’t take medicines prescribed for another person or give yours to someone else.

•    Don’t take medicine in the dark to avoid taking the wrong pills.

•    Check the expiration dates on your medicine bottles and throw away any outdated medicines.

•    Don’t leave your medicine on a kitchen table or counter where someone else may get to it.

For more information about medication safety, contact the National Institute on Aging Information Center by calling 800-222-2225 or by logging on to www.nia.nih.gov.

At some point, many seniors need additional help to take medications safely. Since the medications are prescribed to treat illnesses, the impact of not taking medications correctly can be serious. When you do need help, many retirement and assisted living communities can provide assistance with medication administration. In coordination with your doctor, these facilities can ensure that you maintain your health.

If your parents are close to or at retirement age, talking to them about their future plans may be a difficult conversation, but it is an essential one. Having that discussion is the only way you will know whether your parents have even considered such things as: retirement living, assisted living, nursing homes, home care, or even Hospice. Be patient, both with yourself and your parents as you work through these complex issues. Here are some suggestions for starting (and continuing) the conversation. Remember that as your parents’ health, lifestyle, and finances change, so will their needs. Consider revisiting these suggestions on a regular basis until you are certain what your parents’ wishes are about their retirement.

Be Direct – If you and your parents have had a good relationship, then take a direct approach with your initial conversation. Be up front and tell them what you are worried about and ask them to discuss it. If you are worried about many issues, take them one at a time instead of all at once. Chances are, if you’ve been up nights thinking about these things, so have your parents!

Learn by Reminiscing – When you and your parents are together, talk to them about their past. Ask them about their childhoods, their fondest memories, their ancestors. Then, use this information to move into a discussion about their future. For example, if your parents reminisce that their ancestors had to work all their lives, then ask them how they would like to live in their retirement. Find out what your parents want most/least as they age. Ask what issues are worrying them now. Mention to them what you think they should consider in the future, especially if their health declines.

Bring up a “Friend” – There is a really good chance that your parents know someone who is dealing with retirement issues, considering assisted living, or is in a nursing home. Using that situation to talk to them about what they have “heard” is good or bad about those situations can lead to discussions about your parents’ wishes for their future.

Use the Internet – Search the internet for articles, information, and websites about retirement, finances, assisted living, or long term care options. Share these findings with your parents and use the information as a springboard for your conversation. Take the opportunity now to review Retirement Unlimited Inc.’s website and learn about all of the communities. Each retirement and assisted living community is unique and offers many options. Each community allows you to take a virtual tour. What a great way for your parents to learn about retirement and assisted living options! They can literally “see” the lifestyle that awaits them.

However you find a way to start the conversation, do so. You will learn more about your parents needs and will be more certain about helping them navigate through their retirement.