Jan7Written by:Betty Berry
1/7/2008 4:00 PM 
By Betty Berry
Ventura County Star
Monday, January 7, 2008
Q: Lately it seems I am reading and hearing more and more about medication errors. It appears that these errors happen in numerous ways both at home as well as in healthcare facilities such as assisted living and hospitals. Do you have any safety tips for unsuspecting consumers?
A: A person can never be too careful in understanding their medications. Let's start at the doctor's office. First, make sure all of your doctors know about everything you are currently taking. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and any dietary or herbal supplements.
Also make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to previous medications. If you do have allergies, you might consider wearing a medic alert bracelet and carrying a card in your wallet with the specific information.
If your doctor writes a new prescription for you, make sure you can read his or her writing. If you can't, the pharmacist might not be able to either. Be sure you understand what the medication is for, how and when to take it.
Ask what side effects might occur and if they do occur what action you should take. Question if it is safe to take this new medication with those you are currently taking, including vitamins, herbals and over-the-counter items. Also ask if certain food, beverages or activities should be avoided.
And last, but certainly not least, ask what you should do if you miss taking a scheduled dosage.
Your next stop will be at the pharmacy. It is strongly suggested that you use just one pharmacy. A pharmacist is a valuable member of your healthcare team and by using just one pharmacy your medication history can be reviewed each time a new prescription is added.
When you pick up your new prescription ask the pharmacist to check to make sure it is what the doctor prescribed. Also ask if there is any written information about possible side effects.
Before leaving the pharmacy, read the label on the container. Is the information provided in terms you understand, and does it agree with what your doctor told you? If there is anything you don't understand, do not hesitate to ask the pharmacist to explain.
If you are a resident in an assisted care facility that is managing your medications, always ask the person dispensing your medications to check the container labels to make sure the medication is prescribed for you.
When in the hospital, it is helpful to have someone present to observe and to ask questions if you are too sick to know what is taking place. You should ask for a printed list of all your medications, the dosages and how often you must take them.
Every time you are handed a medication, you or your observer should check it against the list. Make sure the drug is meant for you and not your roommate. Insist that the person giving you the medication call you by name and checks your ID bracelet to ensure the medication is yours.
Be wary of any changes. For example, if you have been receiving a small orange pill once a day and all of a sudden you are given a second dose later in the day or if an entirely different medication is introduced, ask if the orders were changed and why and by whom. Make sure the drug is for you.
This all may sound like overkill, but where your health is concerned you can never be too careful.
Q: I heard that the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging is asking seniors and baby boomers to fill out a survey form concerning their needs and interests. Could you please provide more information about this survey?
A: Yes, I can. The Thousand Oaks Council on Aging is seeking information to help plan for the future of the senior adult community. Information is being collected from senior adults and baby boomers born before 1964 through surveys, interviews and presentations at various locations where seniors congregate or reside.
Surveys are available online at http://www.toaks.org, at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, the city libraries, or by contacting the Council on Aging at 449-2743. The final goal is to compose a proposed Senior Adult Master Plan (SAMP) to provide the city with a roadmap for planning.
The survey includes questions on various needs such as housing, transportation, financial, legal, health, volunteering and community programs.
The council is inviting the community to participate in discussions leading to the SAMP by being part of a Senior Adult Advisory Group. As advisers, you will be in the forefront of looking into the future of the senior community. This group currently meets at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Goebel Center. For more information, contact the Council on Aging at 449-2743 or CouncilonAging@toaks.org.
— Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; or call 495-6250. You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.