Medication Management Programs
VNA Care Network & Hospice's Medication Management Program helps seniors get the most out of their medications and avoid possibly harmful drug interactions. The program includes "Brown Bag" Medication Management Clinics, talks, and home visits.
These services are made possible by grants from the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, HESSCO Elder Services, and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs with Title III funds from the Older American's Act as well as VNA Care Network & Hospice.
For more information, contact Maureen Sendrowski, RN, MPH, at msendrowski@vnacarenetwork.org, 888-663-3688, ext. 5603, or 508-786-0693, ext. 5603.
"BROWN BAG" MEDICATION MANAGEMENT CLINICS
Seniors may schedule an individual nursing consultation to review their prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies for potential and actual interactions, side effects, and other problems. The nurse can also discuss how to organize medications to make them easier to manage and address other concerns.
Clinics are open to residents only and are funded by the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging. Appointment required unless otherwise noted. Participants should bring all of their medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and physician's name and phone number. Upcoming clinics:
West Brookfield: Council on Aging, 73 Central St., 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 7. For an appointment, call 508-867-1407.
Clinton: Prescott Mills Apartments, 24 Water St., Community Room, 9 to 11 a.m. May 8. For an appointment, call 978-368-8500.
Clinton: Council on Aging, 200 High St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6. For an appointment, call the Clinton Council on Aging at 978-365-9416.
Worcester: Colony Retirement Home, 101 Chadwick St., 1 to 4 p.m. June 11. For an appointment, call Sue Dec at 508-853-2211.
Gardner: Gardner High Rise/Gar-West Apartments, Church Street Community Room, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 17. For an appointment, call Karol Zub at 978-632-3759.
MANAGING YOUR MEDICATIONS SAFELY
This medication management talk covers common medication misuses, drug interactions, strategies for safely managing medications, and other topics. There will also be time for questions and answers. Free. Funded by a grant from the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging. Open to residents only. Upcoming talks:
Worcester: Seabury Heights, 240 Belmont St., Building 2, 2 to 3 p.m. May 14. For information, call Christina Nelson at 508-756-2521.
Worcester: Seabury Heights, 240 Belmont St., Building 1, 2 to 3 p.m. May 21. For information, call Christina Nelson at 508-756-2521.
Shrewsbury: Senior Center, 98 Maple Ave., 1 to 2 p.m. May 22. For information, call the Shrewsbury COA at 508-841-8640.
Gardner: Senior Center, 294 Pleasant St., 10 to 11 a.m. May 29. For information, call the Gardner COA at 978-630-4067.
Worcester: Briarwood, 65 Briarwood Circle, Birches Auditorium, 2 to 3 p.m. June 18. For information, call Anita Thomas at 508-852-2670, ext. 293.
CARDIAC MEDICATIONS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Join a wellness nurse to learn more about how heart medications work to improve your life, the actions of various blood pressure and heart medicines, strategies to prevent drug interactions, and tips for safe medication management. Free. Funded by a grant from the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging. Open to residents only. Upcoming talks:
Worcester: Colony Retirement Home, 123 Holden St., 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 22. For information, call Sue Dec at 508-853-2211.
Holden: Colony Retirement Home, 68 Reservoir St., 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 23. For information, call Sue Dec at 508-829-4300.
Worcester: Colony Retirement Home, 485 Grove St., 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. June 3. For information, call Sue Dec at 508-852-5285.
PREVENTING MEDICATION INTERACTIONS
Learn about common drug interactions and the warning signs, strategies to prevent medication errors, and tips for safe medication management during this talk by a wellness nurse from VNA Care Network & Hospice. Free. Funded by a grant from the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging. Open to residents only. Check back for upcoming talks.
Home Visits: Medication and Safety Assessments
A limited number of chronically ill, frail elders may receive a home visit and follow-up from a VNA Care Network & Hospice nurse. During the home visit, the nurse will evaluate prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal remedies for interactions and related safety concerns including lowered blood pressure and balance problems. The nurse will also assess the client's risk of falling and make recommendations for home modifications and other steps to reduce the chance of suffering a fall. Referrals to health care providers, community agencies, and low cost drug programs are provided as needed.
Medication and safety assessment home visits are free. The program is made possible by grants from the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, HESSCO Elder Services, and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs with Title III funds from the Older American's Act.
The program is open to residents of Ashburnham, Ashby, Auburn, Ayer, Barre, Bellingham, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boylston, Brookfield, Canton, Charlton, Clinton, Dedham, Douglas, East Brookfield, Fitchburg, Foxborough, Franklin, Gardner, Grafton, Groton, Hardwick, Holden, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leicester, Leominster, Lunenburg, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millis, Millville, New Braintree, Norfolk, North Brookfield, Northbridge, Norwood, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Pepperell, Plainville, Princeton, Rutland, Sharon, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Templeton, Townsend, Upton, Uxbridge, Walpole, Warren, Webster, West Brookfield, Westminster, Westwood, Winchendon, Worcester, and Wrentham.
For more information, contact Maureen Sendrowski, RN, MPH, at msendrowski@vnacarenetwork.org, 888-663-3688, ext. 5603, or 508-786-0693, ext. 5603.