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Patients visiting their doctors often complain that they must restrict what they discuss with them to only one health problem at each visit, which isn’t helpful. There are different approaches.

The results of a basic hearing test, an audiogram, might help to better understand your hearing difficulties; but not all age-related hearing loss can be detected by an audiogram.

Existing drugs for Alzheimer’s disease treat symptoms, but are not a cure. Health care funders restrict drug plan coverage because of their limited effects.

Many suffer from multiple chronic conditions and clinical practice guidelines may not consider the unique needs of older adults. An individualized approach that incorporates values and goals may be the best plan.

The majority of people with Alzheimer’s will develop behaviour problems over time and this causes much suffering and stress for patients and caregivers. There are solutions to manage this.

Periodically ask a healthcare provider to check your medications. This can ensure the least harm and most benefit overall, and reduce drugs taken and interactions in polypharmacy.

Online drug interaction checkers are useful, but have some problems with identifying adverse effects. Always talk to a healthcare provider to confirm your risk for side effects.

Aging may change the effects and risk profile of different drugs. Polypharmacy may increase, decrease, or cancel effects of different drugs, foods, and supplements.

Many older Canadians are taking multiple medications (polypharmacy) to manage their health conditions. Taking 5 or more medications can increase your risk of drug interactions.

If you have 3 or more health conditions, ask your family doctor about better ways to coordinate your care with other health professionals, and how you might decrease important health risks or improve key functional activities.