NEWS
OKLAHOMA CITY – September is both Healthy Aging Month and National Senior Center Month, and the Oklahoma Poison Center, a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, reminds older adults that safe medication use is a vital part of healthy aging.
Each year, medication errors account for half of all calls to the helpline from Oklahomans aged 60 and older. As people age, they often take more prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and supplements, which raises the risk of harmful mistakes.
“Medication mix-ups are the No. 1 reason older adults call the Poison Center,” said Kristie Edelen, managing director. “Sometimes it’s an extra dose, a missed dose or a dangerous interaction. These may sound minor, but they can quickly turn into serious emergencies. We want seniors to know we’re here, 24/7, to answer questions and help prevent tragedies.”
Why Seniors Call the Poison Center:
Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults:
Calls also come when visiting grandchildren get into unsecured medications. Many grandparents don’t think about childproofing because they don’t live with children full-time, but a toddler can swallow pills in seconds.
Protecting Visiting Grandchildren:
The Oklahoma Poison Center urges older adults, caregivers and families to call the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222 with questions about medication safety or possible poisonings. Trained pharmacists and nurses are available 24/7, at no cost.
“Healthy aging isn’t just about exercise and diet – it’s also about taking medications safely,” Edelen said. “A simple call to the Oklahoma Poison Center can save a life or prevent unnecessary ER visits or hospital stays.”
About the Oklahoma Poison Center:
Oklahoma Poison Center is dedicated to providing expert advice and support in cases of poisoning and exposure to harmful substances. Our mission is to prevent poisonings and reduce their impact through education, prevention, and providing emergency treatment recommendations. The Oklahoma Poison Center is a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy.
About the University of Oklahoma:
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university with campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. In Oklahoma City, the OU Health Campus is one of the nation’s few academic health centers with seven health profession colleges located on the same campus. The OU Health Campus serves approximately 4,000 students in more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning Oklahoma City and Tulsa and is the leading research institution in Oklahoma. For more information about the OU Health Campus, visit www.ouhsc.edu.
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