Page 20 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - August 2019 - 26-08

Page 20
Senior Times - August 2019
COST SAVING TIPS FOR YOUR MEDICATIONS
By: Glin Winsor, Practice Manager DayOne Family Healthcare P.C.
We all understand how important medica- tions are to helping people stay well and that needed medications can be very expensive. Five out of six people aged 65 years of age or older are taking at least one medication. Half of all seniors take three or more medi- cations; that’s five times more prescriptions than those aged 19–24.
• Nonprescription medicines – remember to include vitamins, cough and cold products, sleep aids, pain medications, herbal prod- ucts, and dietary supplements such as glu- cosamine.
Older adults will spend an average of $5,000 per year on their health care needs. This includes deductibles, copays, premiums, prescriptions, and other health care expenses not covered by insurance. This doubles to almost $8300 a year for adults 85 years of age or older.
Make a copy of the Medicine Record for your doctor, pharmacist, and loved ones.
Here are some tips and things to think about to control your prescription costs.
It is also important that you carry current copy and have a copy at home. This way the record can share your information when you cannot. If anything in your medical history or medications that you take changes, make sure to update it and then share the updated list at your next visit with your health care provider.
Buy the OTC medicines when they are on sale. Check the expiration dates and use them before they expire.
Your health care provider may not know how much you’re paying for the drugs prescribed. It is important to find the right medication for your health conditions. If
the medication is too expensive and it is not something you will be able to take, then it is not the right medication for you.
Many drug plans place drugs into differ- ent "tiers" (or level) on their formularies. Drugs in each tier have a different cost to the patient. The cost of each tier will depend on the type and cost of the medication. In gen- eral a drug in a lower tier will generally cost you less than a drug in a higher tier. To save on your medications when using your drug plan coverage, work with your doctor or pharmacist to find medications that will help with your conditions that are in lower tiers of coverage in your drug plan formulary.
If available, purchase the house brand of the over the counter item, it will also be less costly than the brand name. If you are taking over the counter medications, they will not be included in your pharmacy records so cannot be screened for drug interactions. You will want to share this with the pharmacist or your doctor.
A Medication Record will help you have this discussion with your doctor and/or pharmacist. To help you to manage all your health condition and medication information, it is recommended by the FDA, medical and pharmacy organizations that you keep an up to date Medication Record.
In some cases, it may be an option to try using an over the counter medication before starting a prescription medications. There have been a number of prescription medica- tions that have gone over the counter; these medications may be used for health condi- tions like allergies, acid reflux, and arthritis.
You don’t have to pay for an expensive brand name drug if an equally effective gener- ic is available. Almost 80% of FDA approved drugs have generic equivalents that cost an average of four times less than the brand name versions. Generic drugs are as effective and safe as the brand name drugs they’re based on. They have the same active ingredients and must work the same way as their brand name counterparts to be approved by the FDA. That means they have the same risks and benefits, too.
• What the medicine is used for and how to take it.
Medication Record should contain information on:
• Health conditions and allergies.
• All prescription medicines – don’t forget to
include information on medications such as eye drops, creams or ointments, vaccines, and SAMPLES.
SENIOR DINING CENTERS
CITY
Hastings Woodland
Albion Battle Creek Battle Creek Battle Creek Marshall Tekonsha
Jackson Jackson Napoleon Spring Arbor
LOCATION
COA Building Eagles Club
FACILITATOR
Theresa Lancaster Leona Rairigh
PHONE
(269) 948-4856
(269) 367-4041
DAYS TIME
M-F 10am-2pm
M,W,F 10:30am-1pm
BARRY COUNTY
Delton
Faith United Methodist
Angela Soya
(269) 579-3918
M,W,T
11am-1pm
Nashville
Main St. Banqets
Jenny Burlison
(517) 213-9212
M-F
10:30am-1pm
Meals provided by Barry County Commission on Aging. A program sponsored by Barry County United Way.
BRANCH COUNTY
Coldwater
Coldwater Church of Christ
Alisha Carr
(517) 279-8249
M,T,Th,F
9am-1pm
Lunch Served at 12pm
Meals provided by Community Action Food and Nutritional Services. Funding sources AAA 3C, Branch County United Way, USDA, and private donations.
CALHOUN COUNTY
Albion
Albion Forks Senior Dining Center
Cynthia Rose
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Clarence Township Dining Center Bedford Manor Dining Center Lakeview 900 Territorial Dining Center Westbrook Place Dining Center Heritage Commons
Tekonsha Community Hall
Mark Rice Billy Castle Karl Hoard Michelle Dove Kitty Knoll
Senior Health Partners
(866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (269) 558-6150
(269) 441-0948
M,T,W M,T,W,Th,F M,W,F M,T,W,Th,F T, Th
T
10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 12-1pm
10am
Lunch served at 11:45am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 12pm
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Athens
Athens Lighthouse Community Center
Senior Health Partners
(269) 441-0948
Th
10am
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Battle Creek
Cherryhill Manor Senior Center
Constance Siegel
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Battle Creek
Springview Towers Dining Center
Eileen Worthington
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Homer
Homer Presbyterian Church
Senior Health Partners
(269) 441-0948
T
10:30am
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Marshall
Marshall House Dining Center
Deb Trescott
(866) 200-8877
M,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 12pm
All sites have hot and cold meals. Meals provided by Senior Services SW MI. Funding by Calhoun County Senior Services, CareWell Services - AAA 3B, USDA, and private donations.
JACKSON COUNTY
Grass Lake
Grass Lake Food With Friends
Annie Lavergne
(517) 788-4364
T, Th
10am-3:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Crouch Senior Center
King Rec Center, Food with Friends Napoleon Township Hall
Spring Arbor Senior Center
Laurie Mead Laurie Mead Gail Jamieson
Shimone Glaspie
(517) 788-4364 (517) 788-4364 (517) 788-4364
(517) 750-1010
M,T,W,Th,F M,T,W,Th,F T, Th M,T,W,Th,F
8am-4pm 10:30am-1:30pm 10:30am-1:30pm
9:45am-1:45pm
Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 12pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Jackson
Park Forest
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Michigan Center
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,W,F
10am-2pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Norvell
Norvell/Township Hall
Gail Jamieson
(517) 788-4364
M,W,F
10:30am-1:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
To have your senior dining center added or changes to your listing, Call Sherii at (269) 979-1412 ext. 302 or Email: ssherban@wwthayne.com