As per top pharmacies nationwide, they encounter elderly prescriptions on their counter more than any other. It's because they are more likely to catch common health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, etc., which require them to undergo lengthy medical treatment. However, due to the surging prices of drugs, their affordability is impeding. As a result, it is affecting their routine medicinal intake and adequate outcomes. Approximately 50% of all U.S. senior citizens adhere to their medications today. But there's always a pharmacist by their side. 

Pharmacies around the country strive to offer several other assistance to the older people in their community. Besides providing people with prescribed drugs, they intend to direct them to cost-saving resources. When a pharmacist is familiar with his regular customers and navigates the challenges that patients face, be it insurance complexities or affordability, he comes as a savior. As per the need, the pharmacy empowers the senior care financially. The entire staff educates seniors on the many benefits they can avail of in various public and private cost-saving programs. These assistances include PAPs, discount cards & coupons, medication therapy management, and community engagement. Read on to learn more. 

Navigating the Challenge

First and foremost, the challenge that seniors encounter is affordability and accessibility to prescribed drugs. Older people are often concerned for their family and living conditions. Emotionally, they are a weaker section of society that tries not to force a burden on their loved ones. However, that concern puts them in a dilemma of what to prioritize: the family or their health. Eventually, it leads to medicinal non-adherence and deteriorating health conditions.  

·        Insurance Complexities: Aside from their emotional instinct, the insurance plan without drug coverage is the root cause of their hardship. Nevertheless, the pharmacies educate them on tools and programs they should use alongside their existing plan to afford medicines. They alleviate the complexities by equipping them with apt direction and knowledge. Moreover, they inform them about Medicare Part D so the seniors can bring the most out of their insurance. 

·        Affordability: Affordability hinders medication adherence and the overall health of the people. At their age, the older people are not even willing enough to do much for it. Hence, pharmacies advocate ways to improve their purchasing power. They guide older people on enormous ways to reduce prescription costs. 

Empowering Senior Care

·        Identifying Possible Drug Interactions: 

Drug interaction happens when the patient visits multiple healthcare centers to treat distinct health conditions. However, one medication and others might not be safe to consume simultaneously. So, who can tell you that better? A pharmacist, of course! The pharmacies detect such interactions instantly and fill a new prescription for you accordingly, knowing your medical history. 

·        Educating Seniors on Their Medications: 

Has anyone ever told you that a pharmacist is a part doctor? They can tell you what medications you need to take and when. They can also warn you about possible side effects of the given drug and how to avoid them. And if you mistakenly catch the side effects, they instruct you on how to cure them. Indeed, you can trust them. 

·        Directing for Medication Adherence: 

Pharmacies are like second healthcare that explain the entire prescription, including dosages, timings, and essential notes. So, if you should take the drug on an empty stomach, they will tell you. And if you have to take the drug in the morning or before going to bed, it's their job to inform you. 

Saving on Prescriptions

·        Community and Engagement Support

Due to their broad healthcare network, the pharmacies engage in several community outreach and support initiatives. These wellness programs educate seniors on how to mitigate their financial strain. The pharmacies often ask their customers to join these programs, promoting self-care and willingness to learn more. As the seniors become more aware, they use that knowledge to cut their drug costs and save immensely on their prescriptions. 

·        PAPs and Discount Cards & Coupons 

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) and discount cards are senior patients' two most common cost-saving tools. Many public and private pharmaceutical & independent companies, NGOs, and Govt. provide them to the patients. However, not everyone can access the support easily. Therefore, pharmacies facilitate that access to older adults so they can afford the drugs using these programs. Both programs cover medicinal bills and ensure the maximum possible discounts on every medicine. 

·        Medication Therapy Management

Medication Therapy Management allows pharmacists to optimize prescription drugs in a more affordable yet effective way. Only a qualified and licensed pharmacist can play this role per the patient's individual needs. The job encompasses reviewing seniors' medicinal regimes, discovering ways to minimize the bill, and optimizing meds to avoid waste. Also, it allows the pharmacists to determine if the patient is taking medicines correctly or if there is any duplicity. It's a comprehensive program involving cost-saving strategies like PAPs, discount cards, generic substitutions, etc. 

·        Generic Substitution

Branded drugs come with high-price labels, which aren't affordable. Since pharmacies are aware of all available alternatives, they give seniors less costly generic drugs. Generic medicines have yet to be approved by higher authorities but offer almost the same benefits as branded medicines. Even doctors recommend them so that one can trust their strength, active ingredients, and outcomes. They are entirely safe for consumption and cost you less. Besides, the pharmacies also optimize older adults' formulary by collaborating with healthcare centers. It allows them to ensure maximum financial benefits and medication access. 

Final Words

As discussed above, the role of the pharmacies is pivotal in helping seniors save on prescription bills and maintaining their health and well-being. The pharmacies educate the older people better on the enormous resources available to support their financial hardships. Be it community support, Medication Therapy Management, generic substitution, PAPs, or Discount cards, they assist with them all. The pharmacies help seniors reach out to several public or private institutions like BuzzRx to get cost-cutting tools like discount cards. Besides, they also empower senior care by identifying drug interactions and directing medical adherence. Ultimately, they promote senior health by assisting them in their agony and making their lives more affordable.