Healthy Aging Month: Keep Your Medication List Up to Date
9/30/2025
Marissa Harle, Aspirus Pharmacy Resident
As people get older, their health care often involves several providers and a growing list of prescriptions. Keeping those medications organized is an important step in staying safe and healthy. This September, during Healthy Aging Month, Aspirus Health is encouraging patients and caregivers to maintain an up-to-date medication list to support safer care and better communication between providers.
“First and foremost, it’s about safety,” said Marissa Harle, Pharmacy Resident with Aspirus Health. “When we know exactly what medications a patient is taking, we can prevent dangerous drug interactions, avoid duplicate therapies, and make sure we’re not prescribing something that previously caused a reaction.”
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) notes that older adults are more likely to take multiple medications, which increases the risk of interactions and side effects. Harle added that keeping a complete list can reduce those risks and improve continuity of care. “Most of our patients see more than one provider, and it’s helpful when everyone is working from the same information,” she said. “It also makes it easier to spot gaps in therapy or medication adherence issues.”
Aspirus Health and the NIA recommend the following tips for keeping your medication list up to date:
- Write down the name (generic and brand), strength (such as milligrams), dose, frequency, and reason prescribed for each medication
- Include all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies, and topical or ophthalmic products
- Update your list anytime you start, stop, or change a medication, and review it at least once a year during your annual wellness exam
- Keep your list accessible; options include carrying a hard copy, storing it in your wallet, or taking a photo of your list or prescription labels on your phone
Caregivers can also play an important role. “Helping loved ones keep their list updated in real time can make a big difference in an emergency,” Harle added.
Aspirus Health encourages patients and caregivers to review medications regularly and bring an updated list to all medical appointments.
For more resources on safe medication management, visit www.nia.nih.gov.
Back to all Posts