Be prudent with medications

Approximately two thirds of seniors in Canada over the age of 65 have five or more drug prescriptions. Approximately a quarter have 10 prescriptions or more.

Having elderly patients using multiple medications is far from a new phenomenon. Most of us know a senior in those circumstances, even if the statistic as a whole comes across as surprising.

For our seniors, this means more than having to remember which medications to take on what day and at what time. Polypharmacy — the simultaneous use of multiple drugs by one patient – brings a whole list of potential adverse drug reactions and safety measures to keep at the forefront of their minds.

This year during National Senior Safety Week, the Canada Safety Council is taking the opportunity to remind Canadians about the importance of safe drug-taking habits. Good health, quality of life and general well-being can hang in the balance.

Organization is a crucial part of proper medication-taking. When prescribing the drug, doctors will also provide instructions on what dose to take, what time of day, how many times per week and any additional information necessary to proper use. It’s absolutely crucial that these instructions be followed to the letter.

This can be more difficult when multiple drugs enter the equation. Keep a complete, current list of medications you use, along with dosages and schedules. Also make a note as to why you’re taking every specific drug. If you’re not sure or can’t recall, call your doctor’s office and ask for their assistance.

A useful tool to help keep the chaos at bay is to sort the medications into a weekly plastic pill organizer, available at most pharmacies. By dividing the drugs as necessary on a week-by-week basis, it removes much of the guesswork that comes with being uncertain about having taken the medication on any given day.

Here are some more useful tips:

• Inform your healthcare professional what kind of medications you’re taking. This includes anything that may have already been prescribed, as well as over-the-counter painkillers, herbal remedies and vitamins. Your doctor needs to know which drugs you’re currently taking so they can avoid prescribing medication that is known to interact with them.
• It can be difficult to remember every drug you’re using, so keep a current detailed list of these, including your name, information on medical conditions and previous reactions or allergies.
• Fill your prescriptions at the same pharmacy every time. The added familiarity will provide a safety blanket if the staff notices you taking two or more medications that should not be mixed.
• Learn about the drugs you’re taking. Read the information printed on the bottle and do research online as well to be fully informed. If you have questions, your pharmacist will be able to provide answers.
• Never stop taking a prescription earlier than recommended, even if you’re starting to feel better. Always consult with your doctor before ceasing use of any medication.
• Do not share your own prescriptions or take someone else’s prescription.

Caregivers also have a responsibility to always be fully focused on the task at hand. If you’ve been tasked with dispensing and administering drugs, ensure that you’re paying attention at all times. Errors can sneak in when vigilance falls by the wayside. Be smart, be alert and prevent mistakes before they happen.

Following these simple tips will help keep the risks of serious adverse reactions at a minimum and keep a good quality of life moving forward.

Keeping privacy golden in your senior years

You’ve spent a lifetime building your good name and the last thing you need is for your hard-earned retirement to be derailed because somebody has turned that good name to mud. Identity theft is an unfortunate fact of life in the 21st century; one exacerbated by the myriad of new ways data may be compromised.

While there are many perfectly legitimate reasons to share your personal information both in the real world and online, it’s important to remember there may be dangers lurking and seniors can be a prime target for fraud or theft.

November is National Community Safety and Crime Prevention month and this year, the Canada Safety Council and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada want to remind you to stay alert and on your guard when it comes to identity theft and online scams.

“Protecting your identity is a lot like preparing for a secure retirement. You do your homework, make sure safeguards are in place, revisit your decisions regularly and stay prudent,” says Privacy Commissioner of Canada Daniel Therrien.

“A secure identity is just like the funds you have put aside for your future.”

“Seniors represent one of Canada’s most vulnerable groups of society,” says Jack Smith, President of the Canada Safety Council.

“Unfortunately, this makes you a frequent target for fraud, theft and malicious activity. This reality makes it all the more crucial for you to take steps to safeguard your information and keep a close eye on what you are sharing.”

Just as you’ve researched your savings and investment options, you need to take stock of your privacy vulnerabilities.

Start with your pocketbook. Take an inventory of the personal information and cards that you carry. Leave items you don’t need somewhere secure, such as in a safety deposit box. This includes your birth certificate and Social Insurance Number, the latter of which is only needed for income reporting and should only be shared when absolutely necessary.

If asked for personal details to participate in a promotion, to return an item to a store or by a charity you’ve made a donation to, be sure to ask questions about the organization’s privacy policies and how your information will be protected. Don’t let businesses make a copy of your ID unless it’s for a legitimate reason.

Here are a few other tips and tricks to keep your information safe from prying eyes:

• Get acquainted with the devices you use, including smart phones, tablets and laptop computers. Find out how to use the safety features and how to disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when they’re not in use. Enable the password protection and lock features for an extra layer of safety.
• Ensure that your mailbox has either a lock of a drop slot on it. Mail theft can lead to identity theft if there’s sensitive personal information in the stolen correspondence. Keep track of bills you’re expecting in the mail and don’t be afraid to call the companies issuing them if they don’t arrive on time.
• Burn or destroy documents that contain personal information when they’re no longer needed.
• Never give personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call and you trust the person on the other end.
• Change your passwords regularly, avoiding easy-to-guess passwords like “12345” and “password.”
• Use caution and judgement when opening emails. Malicious messages may contain viruses, financial scams or requests for personal information from people or institutions you don’t know. If something looks odd, don’t hesitate to ignore it.
• Avoid transmitting any personal information when using public Wi-Fi (for example, at a coffee shop or an airport.)

It’s also a good idea to educate yourself about Canada’s privacy laws. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has numerous online resources that can help, or you can call the Information Centre toll-free at 1-800-282-1376.

Older Canadians are often admired for the good examples they set and they can be role models to their children and grandchildren—anybody, actually—by passing on what they learn about protecting personal data and following good habits.

You can access the non-condensed version of this news release on the Canada Safety Council’s website.