Do you think of the poison center as just a resource for parents of little kids? We are a resource for older adults too!
Even as adults, we can easily make mistakes. The Washington Poison Center wants to provide you with tips that will help prevent those mistakes from happening, but in case they do, we are here to help, 24/7/365, by calling: 1 (800) 222-1222.
When you call the Washington Poison Center, you receive free and confidential health treatment advice from nurses and pharmacists with special training in poison information. We can answer a wide variety of questions and advise you on many types of exposures, so program our phone number in your cellphone and keep it near your home phone: 1 (800) 222-1222.
For more poison prevention tips specifically for older adults, check out the resources at the bottom of this page!
Medication Errors
Older adults call the Poison Center about unintentional medication errors, accidents with non-pharmaceutical substances, adverse reactions, and more. Medication errors are most common, including:
- Taking medication twice
- Taking the wrong medication
- Taking the incorrect dose
- Using the incorrect dosing route
- Taking someone else’s medication
- Taking medication too close together
Mistakes happen, but do not feel ashamed. The Poison Center can help! Follow these steps below to prevent mistakes!
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Establish a Routine, and Stick to it! The best way to prevent mistakes is to create a medication management routine. Whether you use a weekly pill organizer or medications directly from their bottles, establish a way of knowing you have taken your doses. Keep a Medication Calendar like this on the refrigerator, or near where you take your medications, and check off your medications as you take them. Make sure to always turn on the lights and put on your glasses.
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Know What You’re Taking. If you store each day’s medicines together in a pill organizer, it is important that you are still able to identify each pill and understand why you are taking it. No matter how you organize them, keep an updated list. Have this list available in your home and take it with you to all medical appointments and anytime you travel. Need help developing a medication list? Here is a development guide, sample medication list worksheets, and a Health and Medication Record that can fit in your wallet.
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Call Before You Poison Yourself. Did you forget if you took your morning medication already? Not sure if it is safe to take another? The medical specialists at the Poison Center can help you review your medications and determine the safest course of action. Never assume you can take two of a medication. It is always safer to ask an expert first because there are many different formulations and strengths.
You can also call if you are considering taking a new over-the-counter medicine. Our specialist can tell you if the medicine will have harmful interactions with the medications you are already taking.
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Add Your Own Labeling. Some items from your medicine cabinet look alike. For example, eardrops and eye drops. Both come in bottles the same size and shape that often have very small print. Using your eye drops in your ears isn’t harmful, but using your ear drops in your eyes can be very damaging. Adding your own labeling may help distinguish the product: add a sticker with “eye” or “ear” in larger print; use a Sharpie to make the caps different colors.
Are you a Grandparent?
Children are the most common victims of poisonings. In order to keep them safe, here are a few tips:
Keep your medicine out of reach or in child-resistant containers. This is important when kids come visit you and when you visit them. |
Keep your medicine out of reach or in child-resistant containers. This is important when kids come visit you and when you visit them. |
Purchase a lock box at your nearest store to lock up all of your medications. |
Children like to mimic adult behaviors, including taking medicine. If possible, take your medicine somewhere where children will not see you. |
Store household products (cleaners, detergents, etc.) separate from food items and out of reach of children. |
Consider putting Mr. Yuk stickers on dangerous products. You can get Mr. Yuk stickers by calling the Washington Poison Center and asking for a Yuk Pack. |
Leave household products in their original containers with their original labels. If you choose to put things in new containers, make sure they are properly labeled. |
Dispose of your unused medications at your nearest take back location. You can find your nearest drop box site at a Take Back Your Meds site near you. |