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Holiday Program Helps Cut Prescription Costs
Staff Writer
Older
Americans and caregivers looking for ways to save money on prescription
costs just got a helping hand from the U.S. Administration on Aging’s
(AOA) recently announced “Home for the Holidays” campaign
designed to assist seniors in making smart, economical health care
decisions.
Each year, older adults spend more money on prescription medications than in
previous years. Nationwide, three-fourths of people over 45 take prescription
drugs, with an average of four medications each day.
By 2010, annual per person spending on drugs for older adults is projected to
reach $2,810 a year, an increase of 133 percent over spending in 2002.
The Eldercare Locator – a public service of the AOA in partnership with
Consumers Union, a nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports – has announced
the launch of a “Home for the Holidays” campaign to help seniors
save money on their prescription costs.
The program specifically targets the holiday season so that families gathering
together can discuss the issue, evaluate the current situation and implement
a management plan option to benefit an older loved one in the New Year.
“Each day, many older Americans open up their medicine cabinets and find
them filled with countless numbers of bottles,” explained Kathy Greenlee,
assistant secretary for aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “The
use of multiple medications may increase the likelihood of medication misuse,”
“There are some simple steps older adults can take to ensure that they
are taking their medicines correctly and are getting the best value, Greenlee
continued. “The intention of our holiday campaign is to provide the aging
population and caregivers with tools to remove the stress from the medicine management
process.”
One of the new products rolled out by AOA is a brochure containing useful tools
and information about prescription drug management entitled “Prescription
Drug Options for Older Adults: Managing Your Medicines.”
This brochure provides tips on how to more actively participate in health care
decisions by managing prescription drug options — including suggesting
resources for creating a medicine record, talking to doctors about medicines
and cost-saving steps such as generic drugs and competitive pharmacy pricing.
“Family gatherings during the holidays are great opportunities for conversations
about a loved one’s well-being, including medicine management and costs,” said
Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Copies of the brochure can be ordered by contacting the Eldercare Locator at
(800) 677-1116 or by visiting the Eldercare Locator resource center online at
www.n4a.org/programs/
eldercarelocator/resources.
For information about local prescription drug options and other senior resources,
the Eldercare Locator can also be used to find state and Area Agencies on Aging,
Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and Indian Tribal Organizations.
Professionals can learn more about how to help older adults take an active role
in their health care by using the “Prescription Drug Options for Older
Adults” toolkit at www.n4a.org/programs/best-buy-drugs.
“During tough economic times, prescription medicine management is a particularly
serious issue because it can affect your health and your wallet,” Markwood
said.
“Understanding the options available can help older adults and their family
members better manage health conditions, reduce the chance of harmful drug interactions
and get the best value for their medicines,” she concluded.
This page and its contents ©2009
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
