AARP: Get a Medication Check-Up

AARP New Hampshire and New Hampshire Pharmacists Association will host a free event in Concord to help older adults better manage their prescription and over-the-counter medications.  Held on October 16, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the new Centennial Senior Center in Concord, Make the Most of Your Meds and More! features brown bag medication reviews, screenings, educational sessions, and more.  And it’s all free and open to the public.

Nearly 75% of adults 45 and over take an average of four prescription drugs a day.  One-third of older people experience harmful drug side effects and medication errors account for 25% of nursing home admissions. 

“These statistics alone show why it is so important for people to have the tools they need to become good medication managers,” said Dr. Cheryl Abel, a pharmacist and faculty member at MCPHS University.  “And it’s the impetus behind AARP New Hampshire and New Hampshire Pharmacists Association joining forces in bringing this Make the Most of Your Meds and More! to Granite Staters.

Here’s what you’ll find at Make the Most of Your Meds and More!:

• Brown-bag medication reviews.  Pack up all your medications – prescription and over-the-counter – and have them reviewed by a licensed pharmacist.  Reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions, discover duplicate or outdated medications, clarify instructions and ask questions.  These 30-minute sessions run every half hour between 10:00 and 2:00.  RSVPs are required by calling 603 314 1706.
• Flu shots.  Get your seasonal flu shot!  It’s free if you have Medicare Part B and $29.99 if you don’t.  Don’t forget to bring your Medicare card.
• Screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar.
• Mini health classes compliments of Centennial Senior Center.  Joint health (sessions at 10:00 and 10:30), Ageless Grace (11:00), Mindful Yoga (11:30), Meditation (12:00), and Tai Chi (1:00 and 1:30).
• Your Medicines and You presentations.  These hour-long sessions are pharmacist led and held at 11:00 and 1:00.  Learn how to keep track of your medications, prepare for a doctors’ visit, chat with your pharmacist, and look for dangerous drug interactions.
• Make the Most of Your Meds toolkits.  Take home a toolkit filled with goodies to help you with your medication management, including a DVD starring internationally-acclaimed geriatrician Dr. Bill Thomas, personal medication records, and AARP’s award-winning publication, Medicines Made Easy

You’ll also find information on proper medication disposal and meet representatives from AARP New Hampshire, Center for Health Promotion, Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association, and ServiceLink.

Participants can come early, stay late, and take part in any or all of the activities.  With the exception of the flu shot for those without Medicare Part B, everything is free.  The only reservations required are for the brown bag medication reviews and can be made by calling (603) 314 1706.

The new Centennial Senior Center is located at 254 North State Street, Smokestack Center, in Concord.  For directions, visit www.centennialseniorcenter.org.  For more information on the day’s events, visit www.aarp.org/nh or call 1 866 542 8168.