Managing medications can be a difficult task. It is important that you take the initiative with your doctor and pharmacist to ask why you are taking a certain medication and that you are taking it appropriately. You should also be certain that a new medication will not interact with something you are currently taking. It’s up to the patient to ask the necessary questions and be proactive in your own health care.
It’s a good idea to have a family member be well versed in what medications you are currently taking. It is often times very helpful if you have someone you trust, such as spouse or adult child, have access to your medication list. Your medication list is especially important to keep track of if you have multiple doctors or use multiple pharmacies. Be sure to share your list of medications each time you see a new provider or pharmacist. By consistently using the same pharmacy, they have your medication history.
Be sure to dispose of your unused medications properly. Some Kansas counties host Take Back Drug Day. This year the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day October 24th. When discarding empty medication bottles be sure to peel off the label or mark it out so that your name and type of medication cannot be read by another person. To dispose of medications in your trash at home, mix medications into an unappealing substance such as kitty litter, or used coffee grounds and place in a sealed plastic bag. Many pharmacies also sell medication disposal bags that inactivate medications placed in the bag.
Many K-State Research and Extension Agents are trained to provide advice through the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansans (SHICK) program. Local agents provide help for individuals enrolling in Medicare and in deciding which prescription plan is right for you. You can contact your local Post Rock District Extension office to schedule an appointment to go over your medications and determine what prescription plan is right for you.
Medicare beneficiaries can add, change, or drop their Medicare Part D plan, during the enrollment period which begins October 15 and continues through December 7th with plan changes taking effect January 1.
By: Brenda Langdon
