Team up with the pharmacist to help your elderly parents take their medications correctly

1. Book an appointment with the pharmacist

If your parents regularly take medication, it’s a good idea to periodically talk to their pharmacist to ensure they're taking it correctly, especially if changes have been made recently (e.g., following hospitalization or a new diagnosis). Due to confidentiality laws, the pharmacist will need your parents' permission before sharing any information with you.

To make sure the pharmacist will have enough time to talk to you, book an appointment (in person or over the phone), asking to review your parent’s medication. Make a list of all the prescription medication your parents have at home (or bring their medication to the pharmacy) and review each one with the pharmacist, making sure you understand the purpose of each medication and how it should be taken.

Tell the pharmacist about any non-prescription products your parents also use—regularly or from time to time—and about any medication that came from another pharmacy as well. They will check that they are compatible with your parent’s medications and will advise you whether it is prudent or worthwhile hanging on to them even if they are not expired.

2. Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically

At least once a year, get an up-to-date list of medication from the pharmacy. Gather all your parents’ medications together, then compare them with the list. Set aside any medications that do not match exactly with those on the list (e.g., different dosage). Also, check to see if any medications come from another pharmacy.

If there are several bottles of the same medication, do not put them all into one bottle. Check the date on the pharmacy label and only keep the most recent.

Do the same for all forms of medication (e.g., creams, syrups, drops, and inhalers), not just pills.

Check the expiration dates of over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, natural health products, and others (e.g., first aid or personal hygiene products) and set aside any that are expired or that your parent no longer use.

Bring back any expired or unused products to the pharmacy, where they will be safely disposed. Do not discard them in the toilet or with household garbage.

3. Check how your parents take their medication

Ask your parents whether they take their medication as recommended, and make sure they aren’t forgetting some or adjusting their dosage themselves.

Sometimes elderly parents try to hide the fact that they are not taking their medication correctly for various reasons. If you suspect this is the case, compare how much medication is left with how much they should have taken. If there is a discrepancy, ask them what is keeping them from taking it as prescribed. The medication may be causing adverse side effects, or they may have difficulty swallowing pills, opening packaging, or handling devices such as eye droppers or insulin pens. If so, contact their pharmacist, who can adjust the treatment or recommend an alternative.

4. Monitor the evolution of your parents’ health issues

Several health problems can interfere with a person’s ability to properly take their medication. For example, vision problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can make it difficult to see the medication properly. Dexterity problems such as osteoarthritis of the hands, Parkinson’s disease, and the effects of a stroke can make it difficult to handle the medication. Cognitive problems such as Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can make it difficult to remember to take the medication.

Keep your parents’ pharmacist informed about their changing health. Although pharmacists strive to keep up with these changes, they may not always be aware of them, especially if your parents have their medication delivered to their home and do not see the pharmacist regularly.

5. Take advantage of home care services and technology

Pharmacies offer a range of services to help elderly people manage their medications from home, including large fonts for labels, pill dispensers, medication synchronization, blister packs/compliance packs, and delivery. Ask the pharmacist for more information on convenient home care services.

Technology can also help your parents take their medication as prescribed. You can set up alarms or use apps on their phones to send them reminders. You can even program a virtual assistant to announce, "It's time to take your [name of medication]."

Pharmacists are here for you and your parents!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your parents' medication, make an appointment with their pharmacist to discuss them. They will be able to answer your questions and recommend any necessary adjustments. Working as a team with the pharmacist will help your parents safely remain in their home.