Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a board-certified geriatric medicine specialist Chronic pain affects more than half of older adults in the United States, yet it remains undertreated in this population because doctors and families alike are caught between the opioid crisis and the reality that pain ruins quality of life. The good
Medications and Treatment
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Please consult appropriate professionals for guidance specific to your situation. Blood thinners are probably the medication that will change your daily life most. Not because they're complicated to take, but because they
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by Dr. James Hartfield, M.D. Dementia medications like donepezil and memantine cannot cure or stop dementia. They help about a third of patients maintain better cognitive function for a period of months, have no effect on another third, and worsen symptoms in the rest. More than 6 million
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by Dr. Maria Chen, PharmD A current, accurate medication list prevents dangerous drug interactions, speeds up emergency treatment, and gives every doctor your parent sees the information they need to prescribe safely. Adults over 65 take an average of five or more prescription medications, according to the CDC, and
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders medical review team When your parent sees four specialists and each one prescribes medications without knowing what the others have ordered, you're watching the silo problem unfold in real time. You are the only person who sees the full picture,
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by Dr. Maria Chen, PharmD Medications stop working for concrete, identifiable reasons: age-related changes in kidney and liver function, disease progression, drug tolerance, weight changes, or new interactions. Recognizing medication failure early and bringing specific observations to the doctor is the fastest path to finding something that works
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders medical review team When your parent lives alone and takes multiple daily medications, the gap between what they need and what you can physically supervise is real and frightening. Medication adherence technology fills that gap with reminders, automated dispensers, and remote monitoring
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders medical review team When your parent can't swallow pills and the manufacturer only makes tablets, or when the standard dose causes terrible side effects but a slightly different dose would work, you're stuck in a gap the pharmacy
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders medical review team When your parent's monthly prescription costs compete with groceries and rent, medication savings strategies stop being optional and start being essential. Generic alternatives, discount programs, and manufacturer assistance can cut prescription costs dramatically, and lower cost does
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by Dr. Maria Chen, PharmD With the right preparation starting three weeks before departure, your parent can travel safely with any medication regimen. The key is coordinating with the pharmacy early, packing medications in carry-on luggage only, carrying a written medication list, and having a plan for lost
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders medical review team When paramedics arrive at your parent's home, they have minutes to make treatment decisions that depend entirely on knowing what medications your parent takes. Having that information organized, visible, and current is one of the simplest preparations
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders medical review team When your parent with dementia refuses their medications, hides pills, or becomes combative at pill time, you're facing a challenge that goes far beyond keeping track of bottles and schedules. Managing medications for someone with dementia requires