Common medications can cause dementia-like symptoms Common prescription and over-the-counter medications called anticholinergics (anti-col-in-er-jik; hear it) have side effects that can worsen existing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia symptoms. This type of drug can even cause dementia-like symptoms in people without cognitive impairment. We explain: Why these medications cause dementia symptoms How they increase the risk of dementia Which medications are anticholinergics Common…
Many families struggle to convince seniors to take medication that’s necessary for their health conditions. Some older adults refuse on principle – I’ve never taken medicine in my life! I’m certainly not starting now. Others refuse because they’re suspicious, often due to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia – What’s that? Poison?! You’re trying to poison me! And still others use it as a…
Missing medication doses seriously affects senior health Not taking prescribed medication has serious consequences for older adults. According to a top medical journal, this causes about 125,000 deaths and 10% of hospitalizations every year. But the number of people who skip medication doses on purpose is shockingly high. Studies show that 50% of medications for chronic diseases aren’t taken as prescribed. In…
With many seniors taking multiple medications, it’s common for some to expire and others to be stopped when no longer needed. But how do you dispose of unwanted medication? Jess McLean shares tips for safe medication disposal and donation as well as protecting personal information and donating medical supplies. It’s not uncommon for medication to go unused, especially when a dose changes…
Have you ever looked at your older loved one’s prescription bottle and wondered, “Is this the safest choice?” You’re not alone. Many common medications, including some over-the-counter staples, can pose surprising risks for adults over 65 – from increasing fall risk to confusion. That’s why doctors and pharmacists rely on a crucial tool known as the Beers List, a guide that identifies…
Choosing the right over-the-counter painkiller for an older adult isn’t as simple as grabbing the first bottle off the shelf. Seniors face higher risks of side effects, drug interactions, and complications, especially when managing chronic pain or other health conditions. From NSAIDs to acetaminophen, each option carries unique benefits and potential dangers. In this article, we share five essential tips to help…
Cleaning out your older adult’s medicine cabinet is an easily forgotten caregiving task. Hedva Barenholtz Levy, PharmD explains why it’s important to do this once a year and shares 5 easy steps to make sure all medications are safe and up-to-date. Older adults are the most common consumers of medication in the U.S., with 85% taking at least one medication on a…
Seniors have more trouble sleeping through the night Sleep patterns change with age, causing many seniors to have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep. And when your older adult gets up in the night, you might need to get up to make sure they don’t fall while going to the bathroom, try to leave the house, or do something that…
Getting a loved one with dementia to take their medication can be a daily struggle, but with patience and the right strategies, it can become easier.
When an older adult has a fall, we often look for slippery rugs or cluttered floors as the cause. But sometimes, the most significant risk isn’t underfoot, it’s in the medicine cabinet. A startling number of standard prescription and over-the-counter medications can directly increase a senior’s risk of falling by causing side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and low blood pressure. Being aware…
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