Page 23 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - March 2018 - 25-03

Senior Times - March 2018
Page 23
Getting a Miles for Memories bracelet will allow you to enter all these details and have it with you at a moments notice. An added benefit of the bracelet is that it can also identify you to emergency responders if you’ve been injured and/or are unable to respond.
3. Be aware of potential drug interac- tions and side effects. Your task? Learn about possible interactions and the poten- tial side effects of your medications. You can do this by carefully reading drug facts labels on over-the-counter drugs (OTC)
and the information that comes with your prescription medications, and by reviewing any special instructions with your health care provider. For instance, nitroglycerin, which treats angina (chest pain related to heart disease), should not be taken with many erectile dysfunction drugs, including Viagra and Cialis, because serious interac- tions can occur. Some drugs should not be taken with alcohol, as problems such as loss of coordination, memory problems, sleepi- ness, and falls can result.
If you’re seeing more than one health care provider, tell each one about all medi- cations, herbal preparations, and supple- ments you take. You also can ask your pharmacist about potential drug interactions and side effects.
Some medications can cause side effects similar to health problems that occur in older adults (such as memory difficulties), so ask your healthcare provider if any new health problems you are experiencing could be due to medications.
Interactions can occur when:
• One drug affects how another drug
works.
• A medical condition you have makes a
certain drug potentially harmful.
• An herbal preparation or supplement
affects the action of a drug.
• A food or non-alcoholic drink reacts
with a drug.
• An alcoholic drink interacts with a
drug.
4. Review medications with your health care provider. Ideally, you should discuss the prescription and over-the-coun- ter medications and dietary supplements that you take with your health care provider at each visit. Do this to confirm if the medi- cations are still necessary and if the supple- ments are appropriate – and to determine which ones you can stop taking (if any).
If a certain medication seems out of your budget, ask your health care provider if there is a less expensive, and still effective,
alternative. Also tell your health care pro- vider if you think a medication isn’t work- ing well (for example, if a medication is not relieving pain like you think it should).
If it’s not possible to review medications with your health care provider at each visit, schedule at least one review each year. A medication review can help you avoid drug interactions, reduce your risk for side ef- fects, and lessen costs.
“Sometimes, especially if you’re seeing multiple providers, certain questions can fall through the cracks,” says Kweder. But, she says, there is no such thing as a stupid question about medicine.
“As a society, we have become reliant on pharmaceuticals to help us attain a longer and higher-quality life. It’s a wonderful success of Western medicine,” she adds. “The goal should be for each of us to access that benefit but respect that medicines are serious business. To get the most out of them, you should take them with great care and according to directions.”
Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Consumer Updates page is the source for this article with the full article and the latest updates on FDA regulated products available at http://www.fda.gov/For Consumers/default.htm.
Helping Seniors Stay
NUMBER OF UNITS INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTED LIVING SKILLED NURSING ALZHEIMER / DEMENTIA RESPITE CARE
ADULT DAYCARE PETS
RESIDENT PARKING TRANSPORTATION PRIVATE PAY NURSE ON DUTY REHAB
LONG TERM STAY SHORT TERM STAY MEDICATION DELIVERY LAUNDRY HOUSEKEEPING ACTIVITIES
100% MEALS
24 HOUR STAFFING LICENSED FACILITY SPECIFIC DIET PLANS
SENIOR HOUSING
Informed
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GUIDE
MAPLE GROVE APARTMENTS
15 1041 Maple St, Albion, MI Balinda Cavazos, 517-629-2026
72
114
55
104
50
100
77
30
36
40
20
45
69
40
MAPLE LAWN MEDICAL CARE FACILITY
16 50 Sanderson Lane, Coldwater, MI 49036 Sue Failing, 517-279-9587
MAPLEWOOD OF MARSHALL
17 200 Westbrook Court, Marshall, MI Karin Gallagher, 269-781-4997
MEDILODGE OF MARSHALL
18 879 E. Michigan Avenue, Marshall, MI Jamie Austin, 269-781-4251
NORTHPOINTE WOODS ASSISTED LIVING
19 700 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI Melissa Ferguson, 269-964-7625
NORTHPOINTEWOODSINDEPENDENTLIVING
20 700 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI Melissa Ferguson, 269-964-7625
OAKS AT NORTHPOINTE WOODS
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21 706 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI Jamie Pancost, 269-964-4655
PENNFIELD PREMIER LIVING
22 632 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017 Renee Kelly, 269-964-8292
PENNOCK VILLAGE
23 1009 W. Green Street, Hasting, MI 49058 Sarah Staple, 269-945-5871
REFLECTIONS MEMORY CARE
24 14316 Helmer Road South, Battle Creek, MI Jenny Andrews, 269-969-2500
STONE RIDGE ASSISTED LIVING & ADULT FOSTER CARE
25 4825 Fruin Road, Bellevue, MI 49021 Jym Garman, 269-758-3388
VILLAGE OF MILL CREEK
26 300 Carl Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49037 Jennifer Bouchard, 269-962-0605
WESTBROOK PLACE APARTMENTS
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27 183 West Street, Battle Creek, MI 49037 Whitney Wardell, 269-753-0062
WOODLAWN MEADOWS RETIREMENT VILLAGE
28 1821 N East Street, Hastings, MI Lauren Bauer, 269-948-4921
= CITY ✚ = MED MANAGEMENT
 = EMERGENCY CALL Like to be added? Email Christyn McCleary at csherban@wwthayne.com.