Managing Your Medications Can Improve Your Health, Even Save Your Life

Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist Dr. Jen Wolfe alerts Potomac Community Village June 15th meeting attendees to the dangers of unwanted side effects, drug interactions and serious falls due to
medication-related problems. In her talk titled, "Transform Your Healthcare Experience," Dr. Wolfe prescribes a Comprehensive Medication Review.

"Medication side effects are the number one cause of falls for seniors," she relates. " A fall can
dramatically change the quality of your life, how and where you might have to live it, and even endanger it," she warns.

In her consulting role, Dr. Wolfe emphasizes to her clients that the keys to being empowered and taking
charge of your own health are speaking up during your doctor visits, asking questions, and making keen and timely observations about how you may react to yours medications. This is life-saving advice when it is estimated that on average, people 65-69 years old take nearly 14 prescriptions a year, and average 18 a year by the time they are 80, according to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. Seniors represent
13.7% of the U.S. population.

Getting a comprehensive medications review will tell you if you are taking one pill to counter the side effect of another pill, if you have diligently been taking your meds, if you have obtained the necessary and timely refills, and if you are paying the appropriate cost for them, she advises. Dr. Wolfe can also provide advice on relevant insurance coverage. A Montgomery County, MD native, Dr. Wolfe has a Dr. of Pharmacology
from the University of Maryland and obtained years of retail experience before beginning her consulting practice.

PCV's June 15th meeting takes place from 7-9 pm at the Potomac Library, 10101, Glenolden Drive, Potomac, Md.off Falls Road just before the intersection with River Road. The program is free and is open to all.

Potomac Community Village is a non-profit network of neighbors and friends geared to enabling older Potomac residents to age in place in their existing homes by creating social connections and providing volunteer services such as transportation, computer assistance and simple home repairs. For more
information, to volunteer or get volunteer help, contact 240-221-1370, info@ PotomacCommunityVillage.org
or check out www.PotomacCommunityVillage.org or www.Facebook.com/PotomacCommunityVillage.