Medications & Older Adults

The Raritan Valley YMCA (www.raritanvalleyymca.org) has teamed up with the Middlesex County Office of Aging & Disabled Services at 732-745-3295 to increase public awareness of services and opportunities for county seniors, the disabled, and their caregivers.

As we get older, our bodies react to drugs differently than when we were younger. The aging process, along with medical conditions, often impacts the benefits and side effects of medications. Some ways that aging can affect how medications work is by the way it is absorbed, used and exits the body.

There are changes that may decrease your body’s ability to break down or remove certain medications from your system which can result in medications staying in your body longer. Also, older adults need lower doses of medications than younger adults. According to HealthinAging, there are studies that show certain medications are less safe for older people.

When taking medications, it is important to make sure that:

• The correct medication for prescribed for the correct condition
• The medication is right for you, your age, and your conditions
• You take the proper dose for the length of time your healthcare provider prescribes

Having multiple medical conditions can also affect how medications work in the body especially in older adults. To continue, medications used to treat one condition may also make another condition worse. Therefore, it is extremely important that your healthcare providers who prescribe medications for you know about all of the medical conditions you have.

For general health information and area wide programs and services for senior citizens and disabled persons residing in the county visit https://www.middlesexcountynj....

For exercise class schedules and membership information stop by the YMCA at 144 Tices lane or call 732-257-4114