One of my regular duties is picking up my dad’s prescriptions at the pharmacy. He’s on five different medications for issues ranging from high blood pressure to an enlarged prostate. Fortunately, his Medicare Part D insurance lowers the cost until the end of the year when the donut hole kicks in. That’s when my mouth drops at the price for his prescriptions.
ElderCarelink Blog
AARP study reveals rising medication costs for seniors
by Dorian MartinJanuary 27th, 2012 at 10:49 am
Dealing with elders and chronic pain management
by Dorian MartinNovember 10th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
My Dad recently panicked because he misplaced the prescription that eases his chronic pain. He has spinal stenosis, arthritis and degenerative spinal discs, which make it difficult for him to stand, walk or bend to pick anything off the floor. Therefore, this drug is a very important part of his medical arsenal.
So what is chronic pain? Unlike acute pain (which is resolved when the cause is treated and healing occurs), chronic pain usually lasts more than three months and is believed to cause changes in the nervous system that become progressively worse over time. Read more »
Did you take your pill? Medication concerns and older adults
by Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLPJuly 28th, 2011 at 9:09 am
Dealing with aging and health issues of elders and loved ones can be difficult. From discussions about taking away the car keys to bringing in additional help, having the elder live with a family member to mom or dad moving into an assisted living facility, these conversations are fraught with emotion and challenges. Yet, before these major conversations take place, another issue should be resolved: ensuring the elder is properly taking his or her medication.
Medication issues for seniors
by Judy KirkwoodJune 13th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
I was always amazed at how well my sister kept track of mom’s medications. It is not only a time consuming task to keep them all organized and on target regarding time of day and how long before or after eating, but it falls on the caregiver to also keep track of why a certain medication has been prescribed, and to try to keep a lid on medication costs if there is a generic alternative.
Use of atypical antipsychotics for dementia patients declines according to study
by Carol Bradley Bursack, Editor-in-ChiefFebruary 18th, 2011 at 3:07 am
Nearly fifteen years ago, a surgeon inserted a shunt into my dad’s brain to drain fluid that was building up behind scar tissue left from a World War II brain injury. This type of surgery is fairly safe and effective, if any brain surgery falls into that category. However, for Dad, something went wrong. He came out of surgery with severe dementia.
Carol Bradley Bursack
