As we get older, it is natural to end up with quite a few prescriptions to fill! You might either be taking care of these prescriptions yourself, or perhaps you are a caregiver assisting a loved one with their medication needs. Whatever the situation, managing prescriptions and medications are essential for seniors. With that being said, here are some tips for managing your prescriptions at the pharmacy!
Ask any questions immediately, and don’t be afraid to write it down!
It is incredibly common to forget all of your questions until after you have already left the pharmacy! Whether you are picking up medication for yourself or for a loved one, collect all of the essential questions ahead of time. Don’t be embarrassed to ask a question or resign yourself to searching online for answers – pharmacists are professionals, and they are happy to help!
Some common questions for a pharmacist may be how different prescriptions will interact with each other, potential side effects, and clarifying questions about how and when to take the medication. Prepare these questions ahead of time so that you remember to ask them in the moment! If you aren’t sure about which questions to ask, you can also ask your pharmacist about any advice or suggestions they have for you. Knowing medication is their job, and they will hopefully have some handy tips or knowledge even if you can’t think of a question!
Consider ordering online
Again, this tip can come in handy whether you are picking up prescriptions yourself or acting as a caregiver! Seniors may have trouble with transportation and getting themselves to the pharmacy in order to fill prescriptions. In addition, caregivers are simply busy and need all of the help they can get! In either case, consider ordering your medication online from a place like Canada Drugs in order to save time and get it delivered right to your door!
Be careful to only order from reputable and certified websites. They will typically operate as spin-offs from a physical location, or at least require proof of your prescription before filling your order. By ordering online, you are saving time usually spent finding transportation back and forth from the pharmacy. Enjoy the convenience and safety of ordering your prescriptions online and having them come straight to you!
Consult about medication doses and times of day to take medication
Medication management is essential for health and wellness, and this includes being aware of the required doses of your prescription medication, as well as the time of day and amount of times per day you need to take your medication. Schedule a visit or question your pharmacist about your medication list and how they will interact. If you notice that you are taking many different prescriptions throughout the day, consult and ask if they can be combined or changed to cut down on the amount of times you must take your medication.
It is possible that your pharmacist knows of medications that can be combined in order to save you time and money. If not, they may know more about alternative medications that have different doses and times of ingestion that can make the schedule easier on you or your loved one.
Make Prescriptions as Easy as Possible!
Hopefully, these tips can make medication management easier for you or your loved one. The essential point is to not be afraid to ask questions frequently – pharmacists would rather answer a million questions than risk you being uncertain! If alternative methods such as new medication or ordering online become available to you, take it! With these tips, you can make your life easier.
