What happens when different doctors prescribe different medications?

A thought. I receive meds from a mail pharmacy as well as locally. The mail in center gets notified of all the prescriptions that I obtain through my precription insurance. This pharmacy is responsible for making sure there are no conflicting meds.

Would it be possible for a registered doctor to likewise be able to receive this list. It would show the drug and dosage prescribed.

If the person uses the same pharmacy each time that is the best way to make sure all their meds are known but it is important that each person has a complete list of their meds to take to each doc visit and then they can have the office staff make a copy of the meds so they do not have to write everything down and on the other side if the paper I put down a brief medicial history of surgeries and health problems for my husband and they can make a copy of that for the medicial records there is no reason you have to fill out another form every time you go to a different doc-my husband LOVED to go to docs and refused to do the paperwork and I got tired of filling out the forms each time and would tell the nurse or recepctionist just to copy my paperwork and never was refused and if I had been I would have refused to fill out the form all docs were suppose to use the same form for all pts. and I felt it was not my fault they were not required to do so and the eldery should have a copy of this on their fridge in case 911 has to be called it sure was appreciated by our first responders who came to our home time after time -it does not take too much time to do this and can be updated as needed.

10 things you need to know about your aging parents' health
adapted from the Mayo CLinic for Canadian readers.

1. Health Cards. This will have more information, and may be in a wallet, or not!

2. Names of their doctors. This is one of the first questions they will ask. Primary physicians, as well as specialists: heart, oncologists, will have the most up-to-date records. Also, find out the phone number and office locations.

3. List of allergies, infections, eating disorders, addictions. This is especially important if one of your parents is allergic to medication — penicillin, for example, or food allergies. Some seniors have Sundowner's Syndrome, and

4. Advance directives; Power of attorney for personal care. * Know where they are, and your parent's wishes for DNR orders, or other issues. This is an important discussion for you to have with them. Start be telling what YOU would wish.

5. Major medical comorbidities. This includes such conditions as diabetes or heart disease. My mother had colitis, celiac disease, skin conditions, white coat syndrome - high blood pressure, and she was lactose intolerant). She needed a special diet when in hospital.

6. List of medications and/or supplements. Many seniors jump on bandwagons, and take over-the-counter vitamins, or herbal supplements, and these might interact with blood thinners, or other medications. You pharmacist can give you a list if you go with your parents and talk to them about it. If your parent is incapable of keeping them straight, talk to the pharmacist.


7. Prior surgeries and major medical procedures. List past medical procedures including implanted medical devices such as pacemakers. I wrote in my personal agenda whenever my mother had surgery, when she had radiation treatments or follow-up appointments. Once I scanned this, I realized she was developing a tumour a year between 2002 and 2006. Otherwise, it is worth it to write down all of their issues and concerns. If they have questions, e.g., my mom didn't know what Leukplakia was, her type of cancer. I collected this information for her.

8. Names and phone numbers of extended family and close friends. We were unaware of some of these people, and neglected to speak to some.

9. Activities of Daily Living. ADLs and IADLs (see below) are a good indication of personal health. If your parent has been getting Meals on Wheels, or has been incapable of getting groceries, of banking on their own, a geriatrician may be able to help you with assistance. They need to know, before discharge, how able your parents are. I knew of a woman, my age, with a full-time job, and both parents and in-laws with health issues, including serious surgeries - all at the same time. She was expected to be their Charge Nurse, and Personal Support Worker.

10. Hospital discharge of seniors (I did a full post on this!). Another great resource is the newly established 211Ontario.ca services locator website. Muskoka has just signed on and provides many resources.

Your parent should have a Geriatric Assessment, to determine their ability to manage alone. Stand firm, if you do not think they CAN manage alone. There should be pre-admission screening to assess functional impairment, medical complexity, psychological functioning, and social supports.