How wisely do you use medicines? Challenging AARP members on their prescription drug knowledge during a workshop at AARP’s Life@50+ national member event and expo in Washington, experts invited them to pick the right answer to multiple-choice questions.
Among the questions (and correct answers):
Q. What percentage of medicines are used improperly?
A. Fifty percent.
Q. Where should you store medicines?
A. In a cool, dark, dry safe place. (Not in the bathroom, which is moist and warm.)
Q. What should you do if you forget a dose?
A. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. (The consequences of missing a dose, and what you should do about it, are specific to the medication.)
Q. How should you dispose of expired medications?
A. Take them to a pharmacy, where they can be disposed of safely. (Don’t flush them down toilets or drains where they can get into the water supply.)
Workshop leaders Lauren Torrisi and Maxine Fischer of AARP said that key factors in the wise use of medicines are:
• Keeping a personal medical record (with details of your health status, prescription drugs and doctor contacts), keeping it with you and keeping it up to date—so that in an emergency, health care workers have accurate information.
• Making a list of questions to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist about any new medications, to be sure you understand what they’re for and how to use them.
• Exploring medication choices. Ask your doctor whether there’s a lower-cost generic or older drug that may work as well for you as the brand-name drug you’re prescribed.
For more information, go to Using Medications Wisely.
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