(NAPSI)—As your wisdom grows with age, so can the number of pill
bottles in your medicine cabinet. For those “young-at-heart”
seniors, sticking to healthy habits is the key to aging well. With some
simple steps, you can keep a healthy routine that also gives you more time to
do the things you love. Joe Koren, pharmacy manager at Walgreens, shares his
top five tips for managing your health with a busy schedule:
1. Consult the experts
You know to go for regular checkups with your general practitioner, but
don’t forget that pharmacists can also be accessible experts to answer
questions about your health. In fact, your pharmacist is a licensed
professional who provides different health care services including
immunizations and can help you understand why and how to take your
medications to support effective treatment. Some pharmacies offer extended
hours, and 24-hour chat with pharmacy staff is available whenever you need
it. Many locations also have health care clinics to treat minor injuries and
illness, which can be a convenient and cost-efficient alternative to a doctor’s
visit.
2. Let your smartphone help you
With a packed list of to-dos, friends to meet and grandchildren to watch,
medication routines can easily slip the mind. Luckily, your mobile phone is a
helpful tool to keep track of your medications, right in the palm of your
hand. For example, the Walgreens app can help you set daily pill reminder
notifications, so you never miss a dose. You can also find close-by health
care providers and arrange a video call for a face-to-face consultation with
a physician or specialist through the app. If using your smartphone comes
with its challenges, ask one of the pharmacy staff or a family member to help
set it up for you.
3. Simplify your prescription
refills
Multiple prescriptions can mean multiple trips to the pharmacy each month.
A trained pharmacist can recommend convenient refill options such as aligning
multiple refill trips to one single date, switching to 90-day refills or
having eligible prescriptions sent directly to your home. All these services
can make it easier to stay on your medication schedule and help save time.
4. Find perks in your Medicare D
plan
So you’ve signed up for your Medicare Part D plan, but are you using
it to save money? Fortunately, many prescription drug plans include Walgreens
in their preferred pharmacy network, which could mean a convenient way to
lower your co-pays. A little bit of research into the right combination of
plan, provider and pharmacy can go a long way to help you save money.
Walgreens pharmacies even conduct senior days, giving you extra advice on
health care topics and special offers.
5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
They say age is only a number, and when you’re in control of your
health, that’s very true! With the time and money you’ll save
from these tips, think about how you can embark on and maintain an even
healthier lifestyle. Why not challenge yourself to walk for at least 30
minutes a day, connect with friends and family, or take the time to prepare
nutritious meals?
These five small steps can all contribute to a healthier life, and free up
time and head space for the things you really love.
For additional information on tools to make medication management more
convenient, visit www.walgreens.com/pharmacy.
“Sticking to
healthy habits is key to aging well, says @Walgreens pharmacist Josh Koren. http://bit.ly/2GZ3ZLR”
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)