How to help an ageing parent manage their medicines

Prescriptions & medicines ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

The best way to help an elderly parent with medication is to start with a calm look at what they take, spot any warning signs, and then set up simple supports, such as a current medicines list, a medication pack and a medication review, with them rather than for them. If you’re visiting over the holidays, that time together is a good chance to do it. Our medication packing service at Pacific Fair is one of the most practical supports, and below is what we tell families at the counter.

“Start by looking, not fixing”

When adult children come in worried about Mum or Dad, the first thing we suggest is to simply notice what’s going on. Over the Christmas break, you might be staying with them, cooking in their kitchen, or driving them to appointments. That gives you a natural view of how their medicines fit into their day.

Warning signs worth noticing

• Missed or doubled doses. Full blister strips when they should be half empty, or the reverse.
• Confusion about what each medicine is for.
• Old or expired medicines mixed in with current ones, or several bottles of the same thing.
• Medicines from more than one doctor or pharmacy, with no one seeing the full picture.
• Trouble opening packets or reading labels, which healthdirect notes can be harder with arthritis or poor eyesight.
• New forgetfulness, dizziness, unsteadiness or falls.

That last point matters. healthdirect explains that older people are more likely to have medicine-related problems, partly because the body changes with age and partly because they often take more medicines. Some medicines can cause side effects such as confusion, dizziness, unsteadiness or constipation, and can increase the risk of falls. If you notice changes like these, don’t assume it’s “just ageing”. Mention it to their doctor or pharmacist.

“Make one up-to-date medicines list”

This is the single most useful thing a family can do. healthdirect recommends keeping a current list that includes:

• every prescription medicine;
• non-prescription medicines, vitamins and complementary medicines;
• what each one is for;
• how much to take, when, and how, for example with food.

Keep a copy in their wallet, one on the fridge and one on your phone. Take it to every appointment and hospital visit. If you’re not sure where to start, ask us, and we can help put a list together from what we’ve dispensed.

Why the number of medicines matters

When someone takes 5 or more medicines, this is called polypharmacy. According to healthdirect, it makes interactions, overlapping effects and mistakes more likely. It doesn’t mean any of the medicines are wrong, but it’s a good reason to have them reviewed.

“Ask about a medication pack”

If your parent is having trouble remembering what to take and when, a pharmacy-packed medication pack can make things simpler. These are sometimes called blister packs or Webster packs. The pharmacist sorts each dose into a sealed compartment marked with the day and time, so it’s easy to see whether a dose has been taken.

Packs can suit people who:

• take several medicines at different times of day;
• have had a recent change in medicines;
• find it hard to manage lots of boxes and bottles;
• have family or carers who help and want a simple way to check.

A weekly pill organiser you fill yourself is another option, but a pharmacy-prepared pack takes the sorting off your hands. If your parent is a veteran, healthdirect notes they may be eligible for a Dose Administration Aid service. Ask us about costs for our packing service.

“Get the medicines reviewed”

healthdirect suggests that if someone takes several medicines, they ideally have them checked every 6 to 12 months, and any time a medicine is started or stopped. A review is a chance to ask:

• Are all these medicines still needed?
• Could any of them be causing the dizziness, confusion or tiredness we’ve noticed?
• Are any doubling up or interacting?
• Is there a simpler way to take them?

One option is a Home Medicines Review, where a pharmacist visits your parent at home. It needs a referral from their doctor, and healthdirect describes it as free of charge. We also offer medication reviews in store (see the link at the end of this guide).

“Clear out the old medicines safely”

Many homes have a drawer of old medicines. Expired or unwanted medicines can be confused with current ones, and can be dangerous for children, grandchildren and pets visiting over the holidays.

The Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) program lets you drop off unwanted or expired medicines at community pharmacies for safe disposal, and it’s free for consumers. You can return prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, liquids and creams. Please don’t put them in the household bin or flush them down the toilet, as RUM notes this can harm the environment.

Always check with their doctor or pharmacist before removing anything they may still need. And while you’re sorting, move medicines out of the bathroom and away from the stove. RUM suggests storing them somewhere cool and dark, out of reach of children and pets. In a humid Gold Coast summer, a steamy bathroom cabinet is one of the worst spots.

“Talk to their GP, together”

If you have concerns, offer to go along to your parent’s next GP appointment, with their permission. Bring the medicines list and write down the questions you’d like to ask. healthdirect’s suggestions include:

• Why do I need this medicine?
• What side effects should I watch for?
• Does it affect my other medicines?
• Is there a way to reduce the number of medicines I take?

It’s also a good time for routine checks. Our Health Station offers blood pressure checks you can do while you’re at Pacific Fair.

“Remember it’s still their decision”

Offering help with medicines can feel personal. Most older people want to stay independent, and they’re entitled to make their own choices about their health. A few things tend to help:

• Ask before you look through their medicines.
• Frame changes as making life easier, not as a sign they can’t cope.
• Involve them in every decision, and let them talk to the pharmacist or GP directly.
• Agree on how you’ll check in once you’ve gone home after the holidays.

Never stop or change a medicine yourself. healthdirect is clear that any changes should be made with a doctor or pharmacist.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Talk to their pharmacist or GP soon if you notice:

• new confusion, forgetfulness, drowsiness, dizziness or unsteadiness;
• a fall, even a minor one;
• missed doses of important medicines, or doses taken twice;
• new side effects after starting or changing a medicine.

Call 000 in an emergency, for example if they suddenly become very confused or hard to wake, have chest pain or trouble breathing, collapse, or you think they may have taken too much of a medicine.

Worried about the number of medicines Mum or Dad is taking? Ask us about a medication review.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.