Senior Medication Review: What It Is and Why It Matters for Older Adults

When you’re over 65, taking multiple medications isn’t unusual—it’s common. But each pill adds risk. A senior medication review, a structured evaluation of all medications a person is taking to identify risks, redundancies, and interactions. Also known as medication reconciliation, it’s not just a checklist—it’s a safety net. Many older adults juggle five, ten, or even more drugs for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. The problem? These drugs don’t always play nice together. A pill that helps your heart might make your kidneys work harder. A sleep aid might make you dizzy. And if you’re seeing multiple doctors, no one’s looking at the full picture.

This is where a senior medication review, a structured evaluation of all medications a person is taking to identify risks, redundancies, and interactions. Also known as medication reconciliation, it’s not just a checklist—it’s a safety net. comes in. It’s not just about cutting pills. It’s about asking: Is this still needed? Could a cheaper generic work? Are we treating a side effect with another drug? One study found that nearly 40% of seniors on five or more meds had at least one potentially inappropriate prescription. That’s not just waste—it’s danger. A polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications by a patient, often leading to increased risk of adverse effects. Also known as multiple drug therapy, it is the silent killer in aging populations. It leads to falls, confusion, kidney damage, and hospital stays. But a focused review can reverse that trend. The goal isn’t to stop everything—it’s to stop what’s doing more harm than good.

What does a real review look like? It starts with a full list: prescriptions, over-the-counter pills, vitamins, supplements, even herbal teas. Then it asks: Does this drug still match your current health? Are you taking something just because you always have? Is there a simpler, safer alternative? For example, some seniors still take long-term benzodiazepines for sleep—even though guidelines say they increase fall risk by 50%. Or they take two different painkillers that both stress the liver. A drug interaction, a reaction between two or more drugs that changes their effect, sometimes dangerously. Also known as medication interaction, it might not show up until it’s too late. That’s why these reviews are best done with a pharmacist or geriatric specialist who sees the whole picture—not just one organ or one condition.

You don’t need to wait for a crisis. If you or a loved one is on five or more meds, if you’ve had a recent fall, if you’re feeling foggy or tired for no clear reason, ask for a review. Medicare covers it under annual wellness visits. Many pharmacies offer free consultations. And it takes less than an hour. The outcome? Fewer pills, fewer side effects, better sleep, steadier balance, and more control over your health. The posts below show real cases: how seniors saved money switching to generics, how to spot dangerous combos like warfarin and NSAIDs, how to use lockboxes for high-risk meds, and how to talk to your doctor when something doesn’t feel right. This isn’t theory. It’s everyday safety.