Seniors and Prescription Drugs

Does your parent need to take prescription medication on a daily basis? If so, there is a genuine need for seniors to understand what drugs they are taking and how to take them. You know, more often than not, seniors rely on their doctors so much; they fail to ask questions when given prescription drugs. They trust the doctors implicitly, but in some cases, it can do them more harm than good. Seniors and prescription drugs have become synonymous as more and more seniors live longer and are prone to more diseases.

If you have a parent who has been prescribed drugs, perhaps now is a good time to research the drug to ascertain what side affects, if any, are associated with it. Some doctors offer medications without completely understanding the side affects they may have on one patient as opposed to another patient. While one individual may have no ill affects, another may feel the full brunt of the medication.

For seniors who have dementia, this is especially true. There is a case of a woman who was given medication to help her sleep. This was due to the fact that she stayed up most of the night serving dinner to people she thought were in her house. While she was constantly being monitored by her daughter-in-law, nonetheless she had days of complete clarity, whereas other days she had the aforementioned dinner parties. The doctor prescribed a medication to calm her and provide a restful nights sleep. Unfortunately, it did the opposite. She quickly became agitated and anxiety ridden. The daughter-in-law called the doctor and explained the symptoms. He immediately changed the medication.

It has become apparent today that the pharmaceutical companies push their drugs onto doctors, who in turn prescribe them to patients. While one cannot definitively say that these drugs are given without consideration to the patient, there is a definite relationship between these companies and the health care insurance companies. Case in point: Escripts is used by some union-based organizations as the company to use for all medications. Unfortunately, however, there are conditions for using this company. Escripts allows members to purchase drugs through their pharmacy for 3 months, at which time one needs their approval to continue receiving the same medication. Furthermore, if Escripts determines the drug is inappropriate, they will change the medication without the doctor’s approval and offer it to the patient. Absurd, but true.

The pharmaceutical companies are out to make money as is Escripts, but what about the patients? Who is looking out for them? Certainly not unscrupulous individuals who want to make a quick buck. Seniors and prescriptions drugs are a major conundrum in this society, and unless and until someone comes up with a reasonable and safe plan to help our seniors afford the proper medication, we all lose.