Seniors have their share of troubles when it comes to managing their medications.  If they get sick or land in the hospital, their prescriptions change.  If their insurance coverage changes, their prescriptions change.  If they have memory issues they can mix up their medications. 

Below are six tips provided by the FDA to avoid medication mistakes:

1. Find out the name of your medication.  Rather than taking the written prescription from your doctor and handing it to the pharmacy, make sure you understand the name.  This way you'll notice if the pharmacy gives you the something different. 

2. Ask questions about how to use the medication.  Good questions to ask: What should I do if I forget a dose?  Should I take this medication before, during, or after meals?  What should the timing be between each dose?  What side effects might I have?  When should I contact my doctor or pharmacist if I have certain side effects?  Are there any medications, food, or activities that I should avoid while using this medication?  Should the medication be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature?  Take notes or ask your doctor to write down instructions. 

3. Know what your medication is for.  It's important to understand your medication because you are more likely to use it correctly, more likely to know what to expect from the medication, and better able to report any problems.

4. Read medicine labels and follow directions.  Before you use any medication, you should know when to use it, how much to use, and how long to use it.

5. Keep all your healthcare providers informed about your medications and dietary supplements (including vitamins and herbals).  Make it a habit to show a list of all your medications to your health care providers.  Keeping all health care professionals informed will ensure that you do not use two medicines with the same active ingredients or use anything that will interact negatively with something else that you are using.

6. Keep the list of your medications with you at all times and let a loved one have a copy.  It may help to keep a copy of your medication list in a designated area in your home where it will be easily accessed in case of an emergency.