Medication Management: A Critical Step Toward Fall Prevention

Medication management is a vital issue for home-dwelling seniors in Kansas City. Proper medication management is often overlooked. However, it plays a critical role in reducing fall risks, particularly for seniors who may be juggling multiple prescriptions. As the population ages, a growing number of seniors rely on multiple medications to manage their chronic conditions, recover from acute illnesses, and maintain their overall health. Medication errors—such as skipping doses or taking the wrong medications—pose significant risks to this vulnerable population.

In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of medication management errors among seniors, the associated risks and costs, and actionable strategies to improve compliance and ensure safety. Discover how Kansas City seniors can reduce fall risks with effective medication management strategies. Learn tips and solutions today.

Why Medication Management Matters for Senior Safety

Many falls among seniors are linked to medication side effects, making proper management essential for maintaining safety and independence. Research shows that 43% of older adults take inappropriate medications, often due to errors or physical changes, such as changes in weight and liver function. The risk of errors increases if a senior lives alone or has had a recent life change such as becoming widowed. On average, seniors take 4-5 prescription medications a day, in addition to over-the-counter drugs and supplements. This complexity increases the likelihood of errors, which may include:

• Missed doses: Forgetting to take a medication altogether.

• Incorrect dosages: Taking more or less than prescribed.

• Timing errors: Taking medication at the wrong time of day.

• Drug interactions: Medication combinations that may have harmful interactions.

These errors are not merely inconvenient—they are potentially life-threatening.

Medication Management Risks and Costs

Failing to take medication as prescribed can have severe consequences for seniors, including:

1. Worsening Chronic Conditions

Many seniors have chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease and rely on medications to manage their illness. Skipping doses or taking the wrong medication can cause these conditions to get out of control, leading to complications such as heart attacks, strokes, or kidney failure.

2. Increased Risk of Falls and Injuries

Medication errors, such as taking the wrong dosage, incorrect timing, or harmful drug interactions, can lead to dizziness, confusion, or loss of balance, significantly increasing the risk of falls—a leading cause of injury-related deaths among seniors.

3. Measuring the Costs of Medication errors

Medication errors contribute to $300 billion annually in added healthcare costs. They account for 33-50% of all medication-related hospital admissions. For seniors, hospitalization can trigger a surge of health issues, including infections, cognitive decline, and even death. Medications for blood pressure, pain relief, or sleep disorders can cause dizziness, balance issues, or drowsiness, increasing the risk of falls in older adults. Furthering the financial strain, families may need to take time off work or pay for additional caregiving support to help seniors recover from medication-related complications.

Common Causes of Medication Errors in Seniors

Understanding why medication errors happen is the first step toward prevention. Common causes include:

1. Cognitive Decline

Memory and executive functioning impairments caused by conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease make it challenging for seniors to remember when and how to take their medications.

2. Complex Medication Regimens

Seniors managing multiple chronic conditions often face intricate medication schedules that require careful timing and dosage adjustments.

3. Vision and Hearing Impairments

Difficulty reading small labels or understanding verbal instructions can cause confusion and mistakes.

4. Limited Health Literacy

Some seniors struggle to understand medical terminology or the importance of adhering to prescribed regimens.

5. Social Isolation

Seniors living alone may lack a support system to remind them about their medications or notice potential errors.

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Is Your Loved One Managing Medications Safely?

Take this quick quiz to assess how well your loved one is managing their medications. Answer "Yes" or "No" to each question and use the results to identify areas that may need improvement.

Medication Routine

1. Does your loved one take their medications at the correct times each day?

2. Are they using tools like a pill organizer or dispenser to keep their medications organized?

3. Have their healthcare providers reviewed their medications for potential interactions in the last six months?

4. Do they have an updated medication list that is easily accessible during medical visits?

5. Do they understand the purpose of each medication they are taking?

   
   

Health and Safety

6. Have they experienced dizziness, confusion, or falls since starting their current medications?

7. Are they aware of the potential side effects of their medications and how to address them?

8. Do they have the physical ability to open pill bottles or operate a pill dispenser?

9. Are they able to visually identify their medications and read the labels without assistance?

10. Do they avoid mixing medications with alcohol or other substances that may interfere with their effects?

Support System

11. Does someone regularly check in to ensure they are following their medication routine?

12. Are they comfortable asking their pharmacist or doctor questions about their prescriptions?

13. If needed, do they have a caregiver or family member who assists with ordering, refilling, or managing medications?

14. Are they receiving reminders or notifications to take their medications?

    
    

Results

• 10-14 "Yes" Answers: Your loved one likely has a strong medication management system in place. Keep up the good work, but continue monitoring for changes in their health or medication needs.

• 6-9 "Yes" Answers: Some areas of medication management may need improvement. Consider implementing tools like pill organizers, reminder apps, or regular medication reviews with a healthcare provider.

• 0-5 "Yes" Answers: There may be significant risks in your loved one’s current medication routine. Reach out to your primary care physician and senior living services like Limitless Living Solutions for guidance and support.

  
  

By identifying potential gaps, this quiz can help ensure your loved one manages their medications safely, reducing the risk of falls and improving their overall well-being.

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How Limitless Living Solutions Helps Kansas City Seniors Manage Medications Safely

Unfortunately, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work when it comes to successful medication management interventions. At Limitless Living Solutions, we work closely with Kansas City seniors to identify their specific medication-related risks and create personalized strategies to reduce their impact. 

Limitless Living Solutions utilizes The In-Home Medication Management Performance Evaluation (HOME-Rx), a performance-based medication management assessment tool for community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older, developed by experts at the Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy (Somerville, Murphy, and Stark, 2021). Administered by an occupational therapist, the HOME-Rx identifies behaviors and barriers that hinder independent medication management. It also provides a framework for focused intervention through occupational therapist recommendations on equipment and strategies. 

Practical Tips for In-Home Medication Safety

Simple tools like pill organizers, reminder apps, and clear communication with your healthcare providers can significantly improve medication safety.

1. Pill Organizers

Pill organizers simplify medication routines and reduce errors. Organizers can have multiple containers for times of day and days of the week.  They can be filled in advance or by a caregiver, and allow for an easy visual check of whether medications were taken.  

More advanced, automated pill dispensers are electronic and feature audible and visual alarms. Furthermore, they give the added security of dispensing medications only for a specific amount of time, to eliminate the risk of taking medications again too soon. Dispensers can be set for up to a month at a time and reduce the need for the fine motor skills needed to open pill bottles for seniors with arthritis or tremors.

2. Reminders

Smartphones and tablets offer alarms and apps for reminders. Smartwatches and fitness trackers add the convenience of tracking adherence over time.

3. Simplify your Medication Routine

When possible, ask for 90-day supplies for prescriptions to reduce the number of refills and trips to the pharmacy. Enroll yourself in refill reminders and set up delivery from your local pharmacy where available.

Coordinate with your healthcare providers and pharmacist to eliminate unnecessary medications, reduce the number of times per day medications are taken, and periodically check for medication interactions. 

4. Educate Seniors on their Medications

Seniors benefit from easy-to-read medication labels with large fonts. If there are no children in the home, request easy-to-open medication bottles and store them in easily visible areas as a visual reminder. Observe your loved one to see if they can open their pill bottles or organizer. Are they able to manipulate their pills successfully without dropping them?  Ask them how they order, pay for, and obtain their medications. 

Spend time reviewing what each medication is for, why it is necessary, and what happens if doses are missed. Make sure seniors understand the potential side effects and interactions.  

5. Leverage Caregiver Support

Caregivers or family members can help seniors by ordering and picking up medications, and assist with filling pill organizers or dispensers. Ensure you follow through by monitoring adherence, especially after medication changes. Pay attention for new signs or symptoms of intolerance to new medications. Support seniors without taking over entirely to encourage their independence.

Schedule periodic appointments with your primary care physician or specialist to review and adjust medications based on changing health needs and minimize the risk of overmedication. Telehealth or home health services can allow for regular check-ins with healthcare providers without the need for the patient to travel. Pharmacists can provide medication counseling, identify potential drug interactions, and offer practical tips for managing complex regimens.

Why Kansas City Seniors Trust Limitless Living Solutions for Fall Prevention

With a holistic approach to fall prevention, we empower seniors in Kansas City to live confidently and independently without fear of medication-related falls. Medication regimens are complicated by many factors, both internal and external. Occupational therapists thoroughly assess all aspects of your possible risk. We then offer you essential skills training and education on medication management tools. We give you strategies that will help greatly reduce your risk of medication related mistakes. Limitless Living Solutions can submit your medication management assessment and training sessions through Medicare B, when medically appropriate, to offset your out of pocket expense. This invaluable, personalized training can be available to all seniors in Kansas City. 

Contact Kristen at Limitless Living Solutions to learn how we can assess your loved one’s medication management routine, facilitate a medication review with your pharmacist, and practice strategies and using tools to ensure improved safety and compliance. Limitless Living Solutions serves Kansas City residents in the MO and KS metropolitan area, and surrounding counties.

Get Started Today with Medication Management and Fall Prevention

Schedule a personalized medication management assessment today with Limitless Living Solutions. Begin a safer, more confident journey at home with our tailored medication management and fall prevention services. A comprehensive fall prevention plan is most effective when accurate medication management is paired with other fall prevention strategies like balance training, strength-building exercises, and home safety modifications. We are here to help and determine what your specific fall prevention needs are. 

We Help Kansas City Seniors Live Safely at Home.