Takeaways from the talk by Heather Woodley:
10 Steps to Improved Health
- Exercise daily to challenge your balance and strength.
- To prevent falls have your hearing and sight checked regularly, and when getting out of bed take your time.
- When filling your prescriptions stay with the same pharmacy, as all pharmacies are not centralized.
- The Ontario government has enables pharmacists to treat minor ailments such as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, reflux disease, and hemorrhoids. Take advantage of this service and avoid long waiting times at a doctor’s office.
- Provide your doctor with an accurate list of your medications which your pharmacist can provide.
- Have a one-on-one conversation with your pharmacist to understand drug strengths, usage instructions, and possible interactions with other medications you are taking. Realize that medications can produce serious withdrawal effects.
- Be aware that as we grow older medications may not work the way they used to. Speak to your health care provider about this possibility.
- Having access to quality dental care is an integral part of overall health. Under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP ) an individual 65 years or older who has an annual adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 and has no dental insurance qualifies for free dental coverage.
- When travelling by air, take a three to six month statement of your medications stamped by your doctor.
- Realize that medications can produce serious withdrawal effects. Deprescribing must be done carefully in partnership between the patient and their health care provider.