What’s Inside:
- Aging changes how the body processes medications
- Multiple prescribers increase risk of drug interactions
- Free geriatric medication reviews available — no insurance needed
- Seniors near the pharmacy may qualify for a free at-home visit
If you’re counting out pills into a weekly organizer — or doing it for a parent — you already know how complicated it can get.
Five or even ten prescriptions, plus vitamins and whatever’s in the medicine cabinet. Every one was prescribed for a reason. But what worked at 55 doesn’t always work the same way at 75.
This is the territory of geriatric pharmacy — and it’s one of the most important and underused services available to seniors and their families.
That’s why The Medicine Shoppe in Kitchener has a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist on staff.
It’s a designation that requires advanced training beyond pharmacy school in the unique ways aging affects medication safety, effectiveness, and risk.
What Changes About Medications as We Age?
As the body ages, the kidneys and liver — which process and eliminate medications — work less efficiently. This means medications can build up in the body at higher concentrations than intended, increasing the risk of side effects.
Body composition also changes, affecting how medications are distributed through tissue.
And older adults are far more likely to be taking multiple medications prescribed by multiple physicians, which increases the risk of interactions that no single prescriber may have a complete picture of.
Who Should Consider a Geriatric Pharmacy Consultation?
- Seniors taking five or more medications
- Patients recently discharged from hospital with a changed medication regimen
- Anyone who has experienced a fall, confusion, or unusual fatigue that may be medication-related
- Caregivers managing medications for a parent or spouse
- Seniors who want to age in place safely and confidently
- Anyone whose medications haven’t been reviewed in over a year
What Does a Geriatric Medication Review Cover?
A one-on-one consultation with our Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist covers:
- A complete inventory of everything you’re taking — prescription medications, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements
- Identification of interactions between medications
- A review of medications that may be inappropriate for older adults — some drugs that are routinely prescribed carry higher risks in older patients and may have safer alternatives
- Opportunities to simplify your regimen where possible
- A printed summary of your medications to share with your physician, specialist, or family members
- Coordination with your care team when changes are recommended
What Are the Risks of an Unreviewed Medication Regimen?
Polypharmacy — the use of multiple medications simultaneously — is one of the leading contributors to preventable hospital admissions in older adults.
Certain classes of medications are associated with increased fall risk, cognitive changes, and other serious outcomes that are often attributed to aging rather than recognized as medication side effects.
The Beers Criteria, published by the American Geriatrics Society, identifies specific medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults. A Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist is trained to apply this and other clinical tools in a real patient context — not just flag a theoretical risk, but assess what it means for your specific situation.
An example of what our pharmacist can catch is taking too much Tylenol (acetaminophen) — it’s in a lot of things and people can be taking too much without realizing it.
How Is a Geriatric Pharmacist Different from a Regular Pharmacist?
Every pharmacist is trained in medication safety. A Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist has gone further — with specialized knowledge of age-related changes in pharmacokinetics, the clinical tools used to assess medication appropriateness in older adults, and experience working with the complex, multi-prescriber situations that are common in this population.
It also means Bryan has chosen to focus on this area of practice. That kind of commitment shows up in the quality of the consultation.
Can a Family Member or Caregiver Attend?
Yes — and we encourage it. Managing medications for a parent or spouse is a significant responsibility, and having a second set of ears in the room helps. Caregivers often have important context about what they’ve observed at home that can inform the review.
Does Insurance Cover a Geriatric Medication Review?
There’s no charge to get Geriatric Medication Review at The Medicine Shoppe.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does a geriatric medication review take?
Typically a review will take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the patient’s needs. It depends, but I would plan to spend 30 to 60 minutes with the pharmacist
2. How often should a senior have a medication review?
We recommend at least once a year, and any time there’s a significant change in health status, a new diagnosis, a hospitalization, or a new prescription added to the regimen.
3. What should I bring to the appointment?
Bring every medication you take — including vitamins, supplements, and anything you buy over the counter. If you have a medication list from your doctor or hospital, bring that too. The more complete the picture, the more useful the review.
4. What if I can’t come to the store?
Frail elderly patients who live near the pharmacy can request a house call from Bryan. Click here to see if you’re eligible.
If you’re managing five or more medications — for yourself or for a parent — a geriatric medication review is one of the most valuable and underused services available.
Bryan is available to help whenever you’re ready to book one.