When Medicine Becomes a Menace

Seniors are increasingly reliant upon their medications. It’s a fact of life – Literally!

However, with so many different kinds of medications to do so many different things, at times the medications or their combinations can cause as much harm as good. According to a recent study from the Center for Disease Control, as reported here, two-thirds of drug-related emergency hospitalizations result from just four types of medications.

These four types of medicine are sadly, also very common. They are listed below in order, from the greatest to the least percentage of adverse instances per drug, whether taken together or separately:

1. A blood-thinning medication called warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
2. Insulin
3. Antiplatelet drugs used to prevent blood clots such as aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix)
4. Oral hypoglycemic agents – a diabetes medicine

The most important fact, however, is that nearly two-thirds of all such cases were not just the drugs themselves; they were the result of unintentional overdoses.

It’s scary to see such common medicines listed, and if you or loved ones use them there is cause to take notice, but the real lesson is awareness and care. There are real consequences when care is not received properly or when an elderly person is not able to accurately gauge their medications. There are many solutions involving a variety of levels of caregiving as well as many ways to fund that care. At Idaho Estate Planning we have a network of resources to help you care for yourself and/or your loved ones. Let’s work together and initiate a plan that works for your individual circumstances. Remember, good planning is no accident.

Idaho Estate Planning

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