Medications and Treatment

Prior authorization explained — fighting insurance denials for medications

This article provides information about prior authorization and insurance appeals. Always work with your elder's doctor and pharmacist to appeal insurance denials. Never delay or skip medications while appeals are pending without discussing this with your healthcare team. Your mother's doctor prescribed a medication that'

Prescription discount programs — GoodRx, Mark Cuban's Cost Plus, and others

This article provides information about prescription discount programs. Always compare costs through your elder's insurance and various discount programs to find the best price. Consult with your pharmacist or doctor about whether using a discount program instead of insurance is the better financial choice for your situation. There&

Medications and Treatment

Patient assistance programs — free or reduced-cost medications from manufacturers

This article provides information about patient assistance programs for medications. Always verify program eligibility and requirements with the manufacturer directly, and never withhold prescribed medications due to cost without consulting your elder's doctor. There's a moment many families experience in quiet desperation. Your parent's

Medications and Treatment

Eye drop medications — managing glaucoma and other conditions

This article provides information about eye drop medications for older adults. Always use eye drops exactly as prescribed by your elder's eye doctor. Never skip doses or alter usage without medical guidance. Eye drop medications present a unique challenge in medication management that people often overlook. Your parent

Medications and Treatment

Antibiotics in elderly patients — special considerations

This article provides information about antibiotic use in older adults. Always follow your elder's doctor's instructions regarding antibiotic therapy and report any side effects immediately. There's a mistaken belief that infections in older adults are minor inconveniences to be treated like anyone else would

Medications and Treatment

Thyroid medications — the dosing that requires precision

This article discusses thyroid medications in older adults. All thyroid medication adjustments must be made by your elder's healthcare provider based on blood test results. Never alter dosing without medical guidance. There's a particular type of medication that requires an almost obsessive attention to detail. Thyroid

Medications and Treatment

Diuretics (water pills) — the medications that affect everything else

This article provides educational information about diuretic medications and their effects in older adults. Always work with your elder's healthcare team before making any changes to diuretic therapy. Your mother was prescribed a water pill last month for her heart failure. At first, you thought it was straightforward.

Medications and Treatment

Antidepressants for elderly patients — what works and what to watch for

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. Depression in older adults looks different than it does in younger people. Your parent might not say they feel sad. Instead, they might say

Medications and Treatment

Statin medications and seniors — the evolving debate

This article provides general information about statin medications in older adults and should not replace conversations with your elder's healthcare provider. Always discuss medication decisions with their doctor. There's something uniquely unsettling about watching a parent open a medicine cabinet and realizing you have no idea

Medications and Treatment

Anti-anxiety medications and the elderly — the benzodiazepine concern

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. Your parent is worried all the time. They worry about money, about their health, about whether they locked the door, about things that happened

Medications and Treatment

Heart failure medications — the cocktail that keeps them going

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. When your parent gets a heart failure diagnosis, it sounds like the end is beginning. But heart failure is manageable. Your parent can live

Medications and Treatment

Osteoporosis medications — the treatment that takes years to evaluate

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. The thing about osteoporosis medication is that you take it for years without any obvious effect. Your parent swallows a pill every morning or