Your Medications Are In Good Hands: Your Own
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-11-17 11:47:18.484114-05:00
Not long ago your family practitioner knew all about you, but nowadays the world of medicine is more fragmented and complex. That's why AARP North Dakota has kicked off an information campaign designed to help you become your own medication manager. With 90 percent of all people ages 50 and older taking medication daily, safe use of prescription medicines is of vital importance to North Dakotans and their families.
"Drugs can help us live better, but they can also cause problems," says AARP State Director Janis Cheney. "A new prescription might interfere with other drugs or supplements, and your health care provider may not know everything you are taking. This could lead to side effects, hospitalization or worse."
There's a lot you can do to protect yourself, and AARP's "Medicines Made Easy" information program can help. At events across the state, staff and volunteers are making presentations on how to use medications wisely. They're also offering the Medicines Made Easy guidebook, which identifies the right questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist. It also includes a personal medication record—you can easily track your medications and share the information with your doctors, pharmacists and loved ones.
To schedule a "Medicines Made Easy" presentation in your community, please call Community Outreach Director Marlowe Kro at 1-866-554-5383 or 701-355-3643 or e-mail Marlowe.
To order your free copy of AARP's Medicines Made Easy booklet (D18366), call toll free 1-888-687-2277.
Additional Related Links:
Your Personal Guide to Prescription Drugs
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