Educational booklet distributed in cooperation with FDA, AoA

As many people age, they are faced with health problems that may need to be treated with the regular use of medicine. And with the normal body changes caused by aging, the likelihood of potential problems with medicines increases for many seniors. With this in mind, the Council on Family Health (CFH) has updated Medicines and You: A Guide for Older Adults -- its educational guide for seniors about safe and responsible medicine use. The revised guide, which is also available in Spanish, will be distributed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Administration on Aging (AoA).

The new publication will be available for the first time at the 2004 Joint Conference of The National Council on the Aging and the American Society on Aging, April 14-17, in San Francisco, California.

Medicines and You, first published by CFH in 1991, provides practical information for older adults about the use of prescription and nonprescription medicines. The educational guide gives facts about drug interactions, tips for talking to healthcare professionals, and ways seniors can help lower their medicine costs. The 17-page guide also features “My Medicine Record,” a chart on which seniors can list the medicines they take and other important health information.

“Medicines and You offers everyday information that can help older adults manage their medicines and their overall health,” says CFH President Robert G. Donovan. “It is important for seniors to know as much as possible about their medicines. Knowledge and good communication between older adults and their health professionals can help avoid problems with medicines,” he adds.

Donovan urges: “Learn about your medicines. Read medicine labels and package inserts and follow the directions. If you have questions, ask your doctor or other healthcare professionals.”

The guide also will be distributed through FDA’s and AoA’s regional offices nationwide. The Council on Family Health, a nonprofit organization established in 1966, is dedicated to educating consumers about the proper use of nonprescription and prescription medicines, dietary supplements, home safety, and personal health.