How To Prevent Medication Errors in the Elderly

Written by Linda Garvin, RN, MSN - Affiliate of The ACE Fiduciary Group

Every year there are countless deaths and hospitalizations resulting from the mismanagement of medication usage. These deaths occur from multiple factors including administration of the incorrect medication, taking drugs improperly and the wrong dose to name a few. We can help reduce these medications accidents and deaths, by implementing some safety precautions. Follow these steps to help your elders...


1. List all the medications prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and any vitamin and herbal supplements they take.

2. Educate the elderly person about their medications including the desired effects and be familiar with the instructions on how and when to take the medication, possible side effects and drug interactions.

3. Develop a medication usage sheet. Below is one example of how you can list all the medications. A medication list should include the following:

• Name of the medication, color and shape.

• Dosage and frequency

• Reason they are taking the medication

• The date they started taking the medication

• The prescribing physician's name and contact information

• Any special instructions and/or side effects about the medication

4. It is important to have all the medications filled at only one pharmacy. It can be very helpful to develop a relationship with one of the pharmacist' s where the elder picks up their medications. Pharmacists are well trained and can answer your questions about possible drug interactions, side effects and contraindications that your health care provider may not tell you.

5. Keep a list of all the medications the elderly are taking on the refrigerator or by the main telephone they use in a brightly colored folder clearly marked.

6. Ensure that the medications are stored properly [away from the heat or in the refrigerator] and discard any drugs that have expired or have no labels.

7. Instruct the elderly to put on a light when taking medications and never take their drugs in the dark.

8. If the elderly person utilizes a pill box, always have them keep at least one pill in the original medication container for identification purposes.

9. Never have the elderly mix more than one medication in a pill container, especially when traveling.

10. Always have the elderly bring a list of all of the medications they are currently taking when going to a physician appointment.

Linda Winkler Garvin, R.N., M.S.N., of Alameda, California, is a Health Advocate/Consultant & Educator in the Bay Area. You can learn more about her on our website www.acefiduciary.com or at www.LindaGarvin.com.