Did you know that nearly half of all seniors are not taking their medications as prescribed? If you care for even two senior clients, chances are both of them may be at risk.
Mismedication is when medications are not taken correctly, it’s a serious and preventable issue. Whether it’s skipping a dose, taking too much, or combining medications with dangerous interactions, these mistakes lead to 16% of all hospital readmissions in seniors. Even more alarming: nearly 40% of these readmissions are preventable.
What Caregivers Need to Watch Out For
Most seniors see multiple doctors and take multiple prescriptions. If a senior sees 2 doctors, they could be prescribed up to 27 medications in a year. That number rises to 66 medications if they see 10 doctors.
This reality, called polypharmacy, can lead to life-threatening complications, especially, when caregivers or families aren’t aware of how different drugs interact.
What Can You Do?
- Recommend clients to use 1 pharmacy
- Recommend a “Brown Bag Audit” which means bringing all medications and prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and supplements to a doctor’s appointment for review
- Know the AGS Beers Criteria®: A list of medications that may be inappropriate for older adults. Caregivers can use this to ask the right questions
- Stay informed: Not all medication errors come from misuse, pharmacies and prescribers make mistakes too
This July, Caregiver Teleconnection offers this free webinar, join to learn how to identify dangerous drug interactions, understand polypharmacy, and prevent hospitalization in the seniors under your care.
Webinar: Polypharmacy and Common Drug Interactions in Older Adults
📅 July 14, 2025
🕛 10:00 AM PST | 11:00 AM MST | 12:00 PM CST | 1:00 PM EST
REGISTER HERE
