Exercises the number one non medical alternative. aerobics are great for reducing the effects of heartburn and diabetes. They can also strengthen the heart, yoga and Tai Chi can help with sleep or relaxation. All exercise is great for reducing the pain of arthritis and the need for pain medications. This may seem counterintuitive, but it is surprisingly effective. Remember to consult with a doctor before starting any exercise routine.

There may be movements to avoid, and they may also need to look at adjusting meds. A nutritious diet and dietary changes can help a lot as well. watching what is eating and noting what triggers symptoms, along with smaller more frequent meals can reduce the incidence of heartburn. type two diabetes can often be controlled by diet alone, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol can reduce the need for sleep promoting pills. By following guidelines such as those listed in the Canadian D prescribing network site on how to get more sleep naturally, elders can work toward medication free sleep, as well as stress reduction. I've included a link to their sleep brochure on the resources page.

Many people derive benefits from a variety of complementary medicine practitioners. These include naturopaths, traditional Chinese medicine, doctors, chiropractors, and massage therapists to name just a few. curbs vitamin or other supplements that you can get at a health food store can help as well. Always remember these practices are term complimentary because they are meant to be used in cooperation with mainstream medicine. Make sure the doctor and pharmacist know about any supplements or treatments. Also, make sure called the complementary medicine practitioner knows about all medical prescriptions or therapies.

Getting out and getting active by volunteering, or attending social functions can make a person feel better and reduce the need for medications for depression and anxiety. Most communities have a range of social and interest clubs, educational and volunteer opportunities to choose from a local library or senior center is a good place to start. If transportation is a problem, many communities have resources to help with this. Health Literacy means you or those who care for have a good understanding of any applicable medical conditions, symptoms and treatments. A person with health literacy knows what questions to ask who to ask, and what to look for. They feel confident in navigating the healthcare system in order to get their needs met because they know What they need to know, this course is a good place to start, or keep building on health literacy.

I hope you'll keep asking questions, looking up information and finding resources that help you to make informed decisions about your health. Congratulations, you have finished the course, which means I hope that you are on your way to health literacy about medications and the elderly. My goal was to provide basic information and resources to help you understand optimize and when necessary, challenge any individual elders medication plan. This is a complex issue to tackle requiring careful consideration and consultation with doctor and pharmacist. Yet, if you can improve the quality of life of someone you care for or yourself, then your efforts will be worthwhile. Please send me a message if anything is unclear to you or if you have any questions, I will do my best to answer or at least point you in the right place.

I will take any feedback into consideration and making improvements to the course. I would also love to hear about yes and how this course has helped you. Thanks for taking this journey with me. I wish you and anyone you care for all the best and meeting your personal potentials.