It’s ironic, but just this morning before writing this
column, I was distracted from my regular routine and I couldn’t remember if I
had taken my diuretic pill. I decided I had, but what if I hadn’t, and missed a
day. Or worse yet, what if I had taken my pill, but decided I hadn’t and
doubled my dose? Both could have serious consequences. But there are a number
of things you can do to remind yourself to take them at the right time and in
the right amount.
First, as I mentioned last week, know your medications. Make
sure you know how to use them correctly, including what to do if you miss
taking your pill or accidentally double your dose. And what are the side
effects.
Second, set a daily routine. Take your medications at the
same time and place every day. And know whether you have any flexibility in when
you can take them or need to be taken at a specific time.
Third, create a system of reminders that works for you.
You can use a daily or weekly checklist, sticky notes, alarm clocks, or a pill
box organizer. Phillips Lifeline offers a medication dispensing service with
audio reminders for a monthly fee. And if you are more technologically savvy,
you can even use smartphones to receive texts and emails as reminders. (For
more information visit the Script Your Future Medication Awareness campaign at
www.scriptyourfuture.org.)
Fourth, there is nothing wrong in asking for help. Find out
from your healthcare professional if there is an easier way to take all of your
medications such as taking take fewer pills on fewer occasions? Ask a friend to
help you figure out a system to help remember your medications. And if you have
difficulty remembering to take your medications, tell your healthcare
professional. She may be able to offer other solutions.
It is important to take the proper dosage at the proper
time for the length of the prescription. And as I mentioned last week, if you
would like to learn more about ensuring safe and appropriate use of medications
check out the website Medication Use Safety Training (MUST) for Seniors™ at http://www.mustforseniors.org/.
At the Center every Thursday
and Saturday Nights, starting at 6:00 PM, you can play Bingo the classic
American game of chance. And this coming Saturday night May 31st, there
will be free pizza from 4:30 – 5:30. And the payout for the last game is up to
$1000 if you black out in 61 numbers. (And at 61 numbers there is a darn good
chance someone is going to win it!) So
stop by the Center on Saturday night for free pizza and a chance to win some
big money.
The
speaker for the next 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on June 3rd will be Tim Willis,
manager of the local Habitat ReStore Store. And if you don’t know, the store is
now open from 9:00 – 6:00 on Tuesdays through Fridays and from 9:00 – 5:00 on
Saturdays. And they are particularly looking for volunteers during the busy
summer months.
The Strawberry Mountain Band will be playing
their foot stomping country music at the Center on Tuesday June 3rd. Music starts
at 7:00 and there will be Pie and Ice Cream for sale and donations for the band
are appreciated.
The answer to last week’s “Remember When”
question is saddle shoes - popular in the 50’s and worn by both men and women including
Elvis Presley in the movie Jailhouse Rock. (And the winner of a free Saturday
Breakfast is Bill Van Nice.)
On many college campuses during the 50’s
and early 60’s, it was a tradition for freshmen to wear this kind of cap
including at Purdue University when I was a freshmen in 1966. What was the name for a tight fitting brimless
cap made from triangular sections of cloth joined by a button at the crown, and
seamed together around the sides? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com,
call 541-296-4788 or drop it off at the Center with a one of these caps that
has a propeller attached to the top as worn by Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent’s friend.
Well, it has been another week trying to
tap dance my way off the stage. Until we meet again, as the wise farmer once
said "Timin' has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance."
“Time
is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can
determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it
for you." Carl Sandburg
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