Educational Program Helps Area Residents Better Understand Medication

The average 50-year-old is taking three prescription medications on a regular basis, according to AARP. And the number of prescription medications increases with age. Alongside this widespread use of prescription medications, is a growing concern that many people aren’t taking their medicines in a way that will help give them the most benefit.
Wisconsin Health Literacy, with support from Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., is presenting <i>Let’s Talk About Medicines</i>, a series of educational programs in 2016 to help adults 50 years and older better understand medication.
At 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., on October 7th, Wisconsin Health Literacy will be holding a program at the New Glarus Nursing Home – Green Room. To register to attend, call the ADRC at (608) 328-9499.
“A lot of people take different kinds of medication each and every day. But many of us don’t have a good understanding of when and how these medicines should be taken. And how they might react to other medications we’re taking,” said Kari LaScala, with Wisconsin Health Literacy. “These programs offer practical, useful information about prescription medicine.”
Let’s Talk About Medicines fosters more effective use of medications, thus avoiding extended illnesses, adverse drug events and costly hospital or clinic visits related to use of medication.
The programs feature plain, easy-to-understand language about such topics as:
• The main parts of a medication label
• Types of containers and labels for solid and liquid medications
• Dosage instructions, and how to determine how much, how often and when to take medications
• How to read and interpret special instructions on the label
• Basic storage techniques and expiration dates
• Potential interaction between prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
• Strategies for remembering when to take your medications
• The importance of asking the pharmacist for clarification or follow-up questions
The programs are presented by facilitators trained by Wisconsin Health Literacy, in partnership with many community organizations. Each workshop participant will receive a free pill box and workbook, plus the chance to enter into a cash prize drawing at the end of the program.
<i>Security Health Plan is a member of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, serving more than 230,000 residents in 41 counties of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Health Literacy (WHL) is a statewide organization raising awareness of the importance of health literacy and fostering better communication between health care consumers and health care providers.
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