September is the time for purging leftover medications

London Community News

Everyone has them — medications that have lurked in people’s homes for far too long. To help seniors safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications, local pharmacies are partnering with the Stepping Out Safely: Healthy Aging 2012 initiative. “Medications include prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin and herbal preparations,” said Melissa Rennison, a public health nurse with Middlesex-London Health Unit. “With the Canadian Institute for Health Information reporting that 23 per cent of seniors take 10 or more medications daily, it’s important for them to clean out the medications they’re not using to avoid the risk of accidentally taking an old medication.” Medication is hazardous waste and must not be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. In September, seniors are encouraged to check their medications and return unused or expired medications to their pharmacies for proper disposal. Many local pharmacies will be distributing medicine clean out bags to their senior clients. The pharmacies will also provide information on medication safety, and on alcohol, drug and mental health resources. Medicine clean out bags will also be available at some community centres. More information about medicine clean out can be obtained by calling 519-433-0625. Stepping Out Safely: Healthy Aging 2012 has over 100 events spanning a six-month period geared to keeping seniors healthy. This initiative is supported by more than 50 community and business organizations to help older adults learn ways to stay healthy and prevent disease so they can maintain a good quality of life as they age. Each month has a theme including celebrating aging, physical activity, safety, nutrition and medicine clean out. The organizations supporting Stepping Out Safely: Healthy Aging 2012 include the City of London, Council for London Seniors, Horton Street Seniors Centre, Middlesex-London Health Unit, Osteoporosis Canada, Third Age Outreach at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and many community partners. For a complete listing of the events and supporting organizations visit www.steppingoutsafely.com. Find us on Facebook: London Community News