Note sull'episodio
Caring for an aging loved one often means managing prescriptions, watching for side effects, and trying to make sense of complicated medical information. But how do you know whether a new symptom is caused by a health condition, or by one of their medications?
In this episode of The Care Collective, Mikayla speaks with Bri, a geriatric pharmacist known as the Caregiver Pharmacist, about medication safety for older adults and the essential role caregivers play in the healthcare process.
Bri explains how older adults can end up taking dozens of medications, how one prescription can sometimes lead to a “prescribing cascade,” and why dizziness, falls, confusion, fatigue, appetite changes, and changes in mobility should never be dismissed.
They also discuss polypharmacy, deprescribing, medication side effects, pharmacogenomic testing, and how genetics can affect the way a person responds to certain prescriptions.
You’ll learn practical questions to bring to your loved one’s next medical appointment, including:
“What is this medication for?”
“Is this medication still necessary?”
“Could any medications be contributing to these symptoms?”
“What side effects should we watch for?”
“What is the long-term plan for this medication?”
Whether you are caring for a parent, spouse, grandparent, or another loved one, this conversation will help you feel more informed and confident when discussing medications with their healthcare providers.
This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing a medication.
Find Bri's Instagram here:
@thecaregiverpharmacist
https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiverpharmacist
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About The Care Collective Podcast
The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.