Sources of information: HealthDay – See the original article here

New research suggests that the problem of missed pills rises with age and failing memory, especially for men and the problem can have serious consequences.

“Health conditions may worsen or not improve if older adults skip or don’t take their medications properly. Serious side effects may also occur from taking medications at the wrong time or in the wrong dose.”

Overall, people aged 80 and older were 1.5 to 3 times more likely to require help taking medications than those ages 65-69, the research showed. But gender mattered, too: Men were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to need help with medications than women, the study found.

Some tips to help older adults manage their medication regimen:

• Examine medicine bottle labels for the last date of renewal to confirm that you’re taking medicine regularly.
• Discuss with your doctor and pharmacist whether or not your current medications are still warranted, to avoid taking unnecessary meds or experiencing side effects.
• Use “medication adherence” tools, such as labeled pillboxes, to help keep you on track.