Boomers Play an Active Role with Parent's Medication Decisions

In 2008, the baby boom generation played a large role in their aging parents' medication decisions

San Mateo, CA; (Nov 10, 2008 — According to a new survey from Caring.com, baby boomers caring for an aging parent are playing an active role when it comes to decisions about their parents' medications.

The new survey was conducted among visitors to Caring.com in September 2008 and among respondents, found three quarters of boomers had some or a great deal of influence regarding the types of medications or other treatments taken by the person for whom they were caring. And, while nearly 70 percent talked about medications with their doctor or medical provider, over half (or 55 percent) researched medication options online.

"My mother is very aware of the medications she is taking and what they are for. She knows their names, the correct dosage, sticks to the routine and doesn't deviate from the medication that is prescribed to her. However, she isn't aware of what new medications may be available, or how insurance coverage changes may force her to choose an alternate medication," says Gloria Sigue, a San Francisco boomer currently caring for her 97 year old mother. "Despite the confidence she has in her doctor, she relies on me ask questions and do the research so we can make the decision on what is best for her, together."

Recording and managing prescriptions is a primary concern for adults caring for an aging parent. Caring.com has resources and information available to help manage your parents' medications and recommends the following tips to ensuring medication safety:

• Keep an accurate list of medications,
• Make note of when they should be taken,
• Put safeguards into place to make sure they are taking the medication exactly as prescribed.

With millions of visitors to its flagship website, Caring.com, Caring is a leading senior living referral service and the nation’s top site for senior care reviews. Founded in 2007, Caring’s mission is to help as many seniors and their caregivers as possible through empathetic, expert guidance. Applying cutting-edge technology to this humane mission, Caring provides relevant senior care information and support, as well as comprehensive senior living and senior care directories for the United States, including nearly 400,000 consumer reviews. Through a toll-free referral line at (800) 558-0653, Caring’s trusted, nationwide team of Family Advisors — who are among the most highly trained, highly skilled, and knowledgeable experts in senior care — helps seniors and their families research and connect to the most appropriate services and support for their specific situations. For more information about our organization and our free services for seniors and their families, please visit http://www.caring.com/about and join with Caring on Facebook.