On the last Friday in October, the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA hosted "Meet the Pharmacist Day" for North County community members. Organized by San Diego County's Aging and Independence Services, the purpose of "Meet the Pharmacist Day" was to give community members a chance to get their medication questions answered, explore risks of possible drug interactions, and gain a better understanding of how to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Over 200 seniors flooded the doors, plastic bags filled with prescriptions in hand, for their consultations with local volunteer pharmacists. Sponsored by AARP, these seniors were also given the opportunity to listen to presentations including: the 'Wise Use of Medication', given by AARP; 'Benefits of Being Active', by YMCA fitness staff and a lecture on 'Medicare Part D', by the Social Security Administration.
AARP also gave each and every participant a free Vial of Life, a plastic magnet that lists their medical conditions and prescriptions, to put on their refrigerators for health officials to access in case of emergency.
Over 15 pharmacists volunteered for the event, from Costco, Kaiser Permanente, SeniorCare Dimensions, Tri-City Medical Center and UCSD Medical Center. Toni Friedman of the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA said, "Meet the Pharmacist Day was important to show the community that our YMCA, SDC Aging and Independence Services and AARP are committed to keeping our senior community informed and up to date with the constant changes that are taking place in the medical community on a daily basis."
Katharine Judd of San Diego County Aging and Independence Services is the event coordinator for "Meet the Pharmacist Day". Judd said, "Medication Management awareness is very important and often time seniors don’t take the time to ask their needed questions of concern. Our intention was to provide them with the time and attention to address their concerns so they become a knowledgeable consumer and know the medications they are taking."
Plans for future "Meet the Pharmacist" days are in the works for 2006, with anticipation for an even bigger turnout!
Over 200 seniors flooded the doors, plastic bags filled with prescriptions in hand, for their consultations with local volunteer pharmacists. Sponsored by AARP, these seniors were also given the opportunity to listen to presentations including: the 'Wise Use of Medication', given by AARP; 'Benefits of Being Active', by YMCA fitness staff and a lecture on 'Medicare Part D', by the Social Security Administration.
AARP also gave each and every participant a free Vial of Life, a plastic magnet that lists their medical conditions and prescriptions, to put on their refrigerators for health officials to access in case of emergency.
Over 15 pharmacists volunteered for the event, from Costco, Kaiser Permanente, SeniorCare Dimensions, Tri-City Medical Center and UCSD Medical Center. Toni Friedman of the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA said, "Meet the Pharmacist Day was important to show the community that our YMCA, SDC Aging and Independence Services and AARP are committed to keeping our senior community informed and up to date with the constant changes that are taking place in the medical community on a daily basis."
Katharine Judd of San Diego County Aging and Independence Services is the event coordinator for "Meet the Pharmacist Day". Judd said, "Medication Management awareness is very important and often time seniors don’t take the time to ask their needed questions of concern. Our intention was to provide them with the time and attention to address their concerns so they become a knowledgeable consumer and know the medications they are taking."
Plans for future "Meet the Pharmacist" days are in the works for 2006, with anticipation for an even bigger turnout!