HOW CAN I PREVENT FALLS ?
Checking Your Medications
All medications including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs and other natural health products, should be reviewed at least once a year by a qualified healthcare professional. This is especially important since the way medications are handled by the body can change as we age. In addition, some drugs alone or in combination with other ones can increase the risk of falling.
The good news is that family physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists are available to assist you with this important fall prevention measure.
Did You Know?
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Each year, nearly two-thirds of Canadians 65 years and older are taking five or more types of prescription medication.
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Less than half of New Brunswickers with at least one chronic health condition reported that they "strongly agree" in knowing what their medications do.
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A medication review can:
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Improve your knowledge of the medications you are taking
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Enhance the potential benefits associated with your medications
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Reduce the potential risks associated with your medications
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Using Your Medications Safely
Medications can help us live longer and healthier. However, taking them the wrong way or mixing certain drugs can be dangerous.
It's always a good idea to take some time to check your medications to clearly understand why you need to take them regularly and how to take them safely. It is also important to take steps such as safely storing your medication and keeping track of possible side effects to help avoid potential problems.
For more information about simple safety measures you can take, please click on the available Check your medications information sheet.
Consulting Your Primary Care Provider
It is recommended that all adults 65 years and older be screened at least once a year by their primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) to help identify and address their risk of falling.
Since taking certain medications can increase your risk for falls, you should be ready to answer questions your provider may have about them during your visit. This is why it is recommended that you keep a current medication list in your wallet or that you bring all of your medications in a bag to show to your primary care provider. This is especially pertinent if you are taking multiple medications.
If you do not currently have a provider, you are encouraged to register with Patient Connect NB. Once registered, you will be assigned to a provider on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information or to register, please call Tele-Care at 811 or click on the following link for online registration.
All medications including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbs and other types of natural health products, should be reviewed at least once a year by a qualified healthcare professional. While your primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) is able to complete that task, you may choose to consult your local pharmacist since you may be eligible to have a publicly-funded, medication review as part of the NB PharmaCheck Program.
For a list of available pharmacies near you, please click on the following link.
Older adults covered under the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program who take three or more prescriptions for chronic conditions are eligible to have a publicly-funded, annual medication review with their pharmacist as part of the NB PharmaCheck Program.
To determine if you qualify for this program, please print and complete the Am I Getting the Most from my Medication? self-screening tool before contacting your local pharmacist.
If you qualify for this program, please print and complete the My Medication Check-Up form. On the day of your scheduled appointment, remember to bring all of your medications with you along with a completed copy of the My Medication Check-Up form and the Am I Getting the Most from my Medication? self-screening tool.
Resources
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Developed by Trauma NB and the Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research
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Developed by the NB Department of Health
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Patient Connect NB - Online Registration
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Developed by the NB Department of Health
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Developed by the NB Pharmacists' Association
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Developed by NB Pharmacists' Association and NB Dept. of Health
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Am I Getting the Most from my Medication?
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Developed by NB Pharmacists' Association and NB Dept. of Health
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Developed by NB Pharmacists' Association and NB Dept. of Health
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