Medication Safety for Older Adults

What is Polypharmacy?

Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more medications at the same time. It is extremely common among older adults, who often manage several chronic conditions — such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease — each of which may require its own prescriptions.

While each individual medication may be appropriate, taking many together introduces real risks:

• Drug interactions that reduce effectiveness or cause harmful effects
• Side effects — such as fatigue, dizziness, or confusion — that may be mistaken for new medical conditions
• Increased fall risk due to medications that affect balance, blood pressure, or alertness
• Medication duplication, where two drugs in the same class are prescribed unnecessarily
• Difficulty keeping track of what to take and when, leading to missed or double doses

A free MedsCheck review with one of our pharmacists is one of the most effective ways to identify and address polypharmacy concerns. We review all your medications together and work with you — and your doctor if needed — to simplify your regimen and reduce risk.

Medications and Fall Risk

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults in Canada, and certain medication classes are well-established contributors. If you or someone you care for is taking any of the following, speak with our pharmacist about fall risk and safer alternatives.

Blister Pack Packaging at Longfields Pharmacy

Blister packs — also called bubble packs or compliance packaging — are pre-sorted medication trays that organise your prescriptions by day and time of day. Instead of managing a counter full of pill bottles, everything you need for Monday morning is in one labelled compartment, Tuesday morning in the next, and so on through the week.

At Longfields Pharmacy, we prepare customised blister packs for patients who would benefit from a simpler, safer way to take their medications. They are especially useful for seniors managing multiple prescriptions, as well as for family caregivers and home care workers who help with medication administration.

• Medications are pre-sorted by day and time so there is no guessing
• Eliminates the risk of accidentally taking a double dose
• Makes it easy for caregivers and home care workers to verify that doses were taken
• Reduces clutter from multiple pill bottles on the counter
• Can be customised as your prescription regimen changes

MedsCheck: A Free Medication Review for Seniors

MedsCheck is a free Ontario government program that allows eligible residents to sit down one-on-one with a registered pharmacist for a thorough medication review. It is free for eligible Ontario residents — billed directly to OHIP — and requires no referral from a doctor.

During a MedsCheck review, your pharmacist will:

• Review every prescription and over-the-counter medication, vitamin, and supplement you take
• Identify potential drug interactions, duplications, or dosing concerns
• Assess whether each medication is still appropriate for your current health status
• Discuss any side effects or symptoms you have noticed since starting a medication
• Ensure you understand how and when to take each medication correctly
• Create a personalised Medication Action Plan you can share with your doctor and family

Seniors taking three or more prescription medications for a chronic condition are typically eligible. Simply call or walk in to Longfields Pharmacy to schedule your review — no appointment is required.

Tips for Caregivers

If you help an older adult manage their medications, these practical steps can make a real difference in their safety and wellbeing.

1. 1
   Keep a complete, up-to-date medication list — including all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements — and bring it to every doctor and pharmacy visit.
2. 2
   Ask the pharmacist about blister packs. They make it far easier to confirm that medications have been taken and help prevent double doses.
3. 3
   Request a MedsCheck at Longfields Pharmacy. You can attend with the senior to hear the pharmacist's recommendations and ask your own questions.
4. 4
   Watch for signs of over-medication — unusual drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, or loss of appetite — and report these to the pharmacist or doctor promptly.
5. 5
   Never stop or adjust a prescription medication without first speaking with the prescribing doctor or pharmacist, even if side effects are suspected.

Frequently Asked Questions