Older Adults Medicine Safety

What are medicines? What are drugs? Why is it important to be safe with medication? 

Medicine, sometimes referred to as drugs, include: Prescriptions (prescribed by your doctor), over the counter pills, liquids, and creams (such as Tylenol for a headache or cough syrup for a cold), and vitamins. For the safety of you and your loved ones, it is important to practice medicine safety! 

The first step in medicine safety is to let your doctor and healthcare provider know about all of the medications you currently take--even if they are over the counter. This is important because some drugs can counteract one another or cause negative side-effects. Tools such as a Tracking your Medication Worksheet can be helpful when remembering which medications you currently use. 


The second step in medicine safety is to remember to ask your pharmacist for help! A Tracking your Medication Worksheet can also be helpful when seeking advice from a pharmacist. A helpful tip: try to have all of your prescriptions filled in the same place so that your records are easier to track. 

The third step in medicine safety is to keep track of your medications and store them in a safe place away from children. For the safety of you and your loved ones, lock your medications in a Medicine Lock Box if possible. Frequently check medications to make sure they have not expired. If they are expired, reach out to JCDPC to find out how to safely dispose of medications. 

For more information on medicine safety, reach out to JCDPC or visit the National Institute on Aging's Website. 

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