Opioid use is currently a huge topic in America. An estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffer from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers and the amount of deaths related to opioid use account for half a million since 2000.

According to The National Institute of Health Senior Health, there are a cluster of medications that commonly cause concern with seniors in terms of abuse and side effects. If you or a family member have been prescribed opioids, depressants or stimulants on a regular basis you need to stay on top of their use.

Inevitably, pain will affect all of us at multiple points in our life. As we age, pain becomes a more common companion, based simply on the breakdown of our physical body. So how can we manage it?

As one ages, the medicine in the bathroom cabinet starts to fill up pretty quickly to address additional health challenges. Over time it can be difficult to keep track of the prescription history. To avoid further complications it’s important to keep a few things in mind if you’re helping an elder parent or a loved one.