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Health and Wellness

How's Your Medication I.Q.?

Over and over again, studies show that too many people over the age of 65 end up in the emergency room because of the medicines they are taking!

There are three major problems:
1. Medications not being taken as directed.
2. Medication side effects, even when taken as directed and in correct doses.
3. Medication interactions.
**All of these problems become more likely when the number of medicines, including both prescribed and "over-the-counter" drugs, herbal remedies and supplements, are increased.

Take the following quiz to see how well you are doing:

1. I know the names and purposes of all my medicine.
 Yes No
2. I am aware of the important side effects.
Yes No
3. I use a pillbox to be sure I do not miss or double my doses.
Yes No
4. I bring my medicine, or a list, to every doctor for every visit.
Yes No
5. One primary doctor supervises all my medicine.
Yes No
6. My doctors know about the over-the-counter medicine I take, including all vitamins and supplements.
Yes No
7. One pharmacy provides all my prescription medicine.
 Yes No
8. Every time I add a medicine, I ask if there are any I can discontinue.
Yes No
9. If I cannot take prescribed medicine as directed for any reason,including cost, I tell the prescribing physician.
Yes No
10. I know that no medicine can take the place of a healthy lifestyle,including good nutrition and physical exercise.
Yes No
Move on to the 10 Commandments of Sleep