Listen to some tips on safe medication use


The Safe Meds Program, offered by the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association, is a series of pharmacist-delivered community presentations.  Each seminar covers a variety of important topics relating to medication use including: proper storage and disposal of medications; over-the-counter products; dealing with side effects; non-compliance of drug therapy; how your pharmacist can help, and much more.  Seminars are available on a variety of topics, and suitable for a number of different audiences.  Click on the link below to learn more about:

 

The Ontario Pharmacists’ Association is pleased to have the support of the Government of Ontario for the Safe Meds for Seniors Program.  These seminars are available across Ontario and are delivered by a community pharmacist. Each seminar covers a variety of important topics for seniors relating to medication use.  Originally introduced as the Seniors' Safe Medication Use Program in 1999, Safe Meds for Seniors has been presented to thousands of people and met with overwhelming success.  Each seminar provides valuable information about healthy aging to help seniors live independently and with dignity.

The programs are fully funded by the OPA and the Ontario government. They are free for seniors who wish to host or attend them. Safe Meds for Seniors provides an excellent opportunity for seniors to take control of their health and medication and to utilize the skills and expertise of drug experts – the  pharmacists.

The Myths of Aging Why Am I at risk? A look at the statistics Examples of Medication Misuse What Are Drugs? Prescription medicines Over-the-counter medicines Social drugs Traditional and herbal therapies Drug Names Brand and generic names How Can my Pharmacist Help? Storage of Medications Expired Medications	The Dos & Don'ts of Safe Medication Use Ask Your Pharmacist Tips for Snowbirds Side Effects of Medication Over-the-Counter Medicines Herbals: The Myths & the Realities Compliance Aids Weekly pill boxes, etc. Safe Medication Card Colds & Infection Influenza: "the flu" Influenza vaccine Shingles Constipation Additional Pharmacy Services Medication Reviews Question & Answer Period

The Safe Meds for Seniors program runs 45 to 90 minutes in length, including a question and answer period and is provided to groups at no charge.  The pharmacist will attempt to tailor the presentation to the needs of the seniors' group, if requested. No particular pharmacy or drug is promoted in this program.  This program is available in English, French, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Korean and Polish.

The Safe Meds for Seniors brochure provides tips on safe medication use and emphasizes the important role of the pharmacist as a drug expert. To order pre-printed copies of this brochure, please contact Susan Eckert at OPA: 416-441-0788, extension 4251.

If you are a senior and wish to attend a seminar in your area, please refer to the list below (additional dates and locations are updated as they are confirmed):

Friday, March 19, 2010 Armitage Gardens 200 Eagle Street Newmarket, ON Presentation Time: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Contact: Janet Rae, 905-895-3628, ext. 3430

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Joseph E & Winnie Wagman Centre 55 Ameer Avenue North York, ON Presentation Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Contact: Judy Chu, 416-785-2500, ext. 2340

Friday, March 5, 2010 Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church 245 Lexington Avenue Waterloo, ON Presentation Time: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Friday, March 5, 2010 Hadley Grange 16105 Yonge Street Aurora, ON Presentation Time: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Contact: Melanie Rowe, 905-830-4444, ext. 3429

Thursday, March 4, 2010 Oxford Learning Centre 80 Sheppard Avenue West North York, ON Presentation Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Contact: Ashley Case, 416-225-1231, ext. 15

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Adelaide Resource Centre for Women 67 Adelaide Street East Toronto, ON Presentation Time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Contact: Melissa Lyte, 416-392-9292

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 Church of the Annunciation 3 Combermere Drive Don Mills, ON Presentation Time: 10:15 am to 11:15 am

Thursday, January 7, 2010 Walden One Adult Building 55 Austin Drive Markham, ON Presentation Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Friday, December 18, 2009 Supportive Housing in Peel 969 Derry Road East, Unit #107 Mississauga, ON Presentation Time: 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm Contact: Caitlin Freeman, 905-795-8742, ext. 301

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Older Adult Centre at Square One 100 City Centre Drive Mississauga, ON Presentation Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Contact: Catherine Gatere, 905-791-7800, ext. 2050

Thursday, November 12, 2009 Seniors Building 43 Bythia Street Orangeville, ON Presentation Time: 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Contact: Betty Speer, 519-941-6991, ext. 2104

Sunday, November 8, 2009 Christ Church Anglican 43 Sherwood Bobcaygeon, ON Presentation Time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Friday, October 30, 2009 Seniors Association Kingston 56 Francis Street Kingston, ON Presentation Time:  9:30 am to 11:00 am Contact:  Celina Santos, 613-548-7810, ext. 225

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 St. Bonaventure Church 1300 Leslie Street North York, ON Presentation Time: 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Don Mills Drop-In Centre 80 Overlea Boulevard Don Mills, ON Presentation Time: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Contact: Almas Musaji, 416-421-4065

Thursday, October 15, 2009 Woolwich Community Health Fair Calvary United Church 48 Hawkesville Road St. Jacobs, ON Presentation Time: 11:15 am to 11:45 am Contact: Joy Finney, 519-664-3534, ext. 230

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Palmerston United Church 215 James Street Palmerston, ON Presentation Time:  1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Contact:  Helen Edwards, 519-638-1000

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Stratford Christian Women’s Club Arden Park Hotel 552 Ontario Street Stratford, ON Presentation Time:  9:00 am to 10:00 am

Monday, August 17, 2009 United Senior Citizens of Ontario Annual Convention Holiday Inn Oshawa 1011 Bloor Street East Oshawa, ON Presentation Time:  7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Older Adult Centre at Square One 100 City Centre Drive Mississauga, ON Presentation Time: 1:30 to 3:00 pm Contact: Emine Duzgeren, 905-238-1751

Friday, June 12, 2009 Senior Peoples Resources in North Toronto 140 Merton Street, 2nd Floor Toronto, ON Presentation Time:  2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Contact:  Joy Friedman, 416-481-6411, ext. 351

Monday, June 8, 2009 Chartwell Classic Oakville 180 Oak Park Boulevard Oakville, ON Presentation Time:  1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Contact:  Sara Weber, 905-257-0095

Saturday, June 6, 2009 Burlington Seniors Centre 2285 New Street Burlington, ON Presentation Time:  10:05 am to 10:20 am Contact:  Wendy Garside, 905-335-7607

Friday, June 5, 2009 Water Street Seniors Activity Centre 22 Water Street Markham, ON Presentation Time:  1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Contact:  Daniel Gianasi, 905-294-4931

Thursday, June 4, 2009 Manitoulin Injury Prevention Coalition NEMI Complex Little Current, ON Presentation Time:  1:15 pm to 1:45 pm  Contact:  Sudbury & District Health Unit, 705-370-9200

If you are with a group or organization and wish to inquire about hosting a seminar, please contact Susan Eckert at 416-441-0788 ext. 4251 or via e-mail at seckert@opatoday.com. Please note that the consideration of seminar delivery will be subject to program guidelines




Safe Meds for Heart is available with the support of Pfizer Canada and AstraZeneca Canada. Safe Meds for Heart provides information on risk factors for heart disease and the safe use of medications for high blood pressure and cholesterol, two of the most important risk factors for heart disease.  This program is available as a live presentation or on-line.

What is heart disease? The situation in Canada Risk factors for heart disease High blood pressure What is high blood pressure? How do we measure blood pressure? What do the numbers mean? Treatment of blood pressure Important points to remember	High cholesterol What is high cholesterol? Types of cholesterol What should my cholesterol be? Treatment of high cholesterol Important points to remember How can my pharmacist help? Do’s and Don’ts of safe medication use

Click here to download the Safe Meds for Heart brochure which outlines the Safe Meds for Heart program, provides tips on safe medication use and emphasizes the important role of the pharmacist as a drug expert. Also included in the brochure is a list of valuable resources which can be accessed online. To order pre-printed copies of this brochure, please contact Susan Eckert at OPA: 416-441-0788, extension 4251.

Click here to see and hear the on-line version of this presentation. Seniors, their caregivers, and adults of all ages will learn something new from this program.

The Safe Meds for Heart live presentation runs 45 to 90 minutes in length, including a question and answer period and is provided to seniors groups at no charge. No particular pharmacy or drug is promoted in this program.

If you wish to attend a seminar in your area, please refer to the list below (additional dates and locations are updated as they are confirmed):

Thursday, November 26, 2009 Algoma’s Water Tower Inn 360 Great Northern Road Sault Ste. Marie, ON Presentation Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Contact: Janie Bringleson, 705-759-1233

Saturday, November 7, 2009 Centre for Seniors 635 McEwan Avenue Windsor, ON Presentation Time:  1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Contact:  Joyce Montrose, 519-253-1797, ext. 223

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Community Care North Hastings Hastings Highlands Public Library 61102 Hwy 2 Maynooth, ON Presentation Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Contact: Deb Jeffrey, 613-338-2662

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Milton District Hospital 7030 Derry Road East Milton, ON Presentation Time: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Contact: Megan Suddergaard, 905-845-2571, ext. 4147

Thursday, May 14, 2009 The ParkSide Centre YMCA, Kinsman Room C 140 Durham Street Sudbury, ON Presentation time: 7:00 pm Contact:  Kirsikka Corradi, 705-670-1993, ext. 3

Monday, February 9, 2009 Remedy’s Rx on Kent 108 Kent Street Lindsay, ON Presentation Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Contact: Remedy’s Rx, 705-324-0500

Saturday, November 1, 2008 Sing for the Heart of it 55 Plus Centre 700 River St Thunder Bay, ON Presentation Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sing for the Heart of it Flyer

Sunday, October 5, 2008 Telugu Seniors Society of Canada Pleasantview Community Centre 545 Van Horne Avenue North York, ON Presentation Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contact: Sam Voora, 905-528-0792

Saturday, June 21, 2008 Cedarbrook Community Centre 91 Eastpark Blvd. Scarborough, ON Presentation Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Contact: Susan Eckert, 416-441-0788, ext. 4251

Monday, April 28, 2008 Royal Canadian Legion 1550 Lansdowne St. W. Peterborough, ON Presentation Time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Contact: Laurie Riley, 705-749-1500

If you are with a group or organization and wish to inquire about hosting a seminar, please contact Susan Eckert at 416-441-0788 ext. 4251 or via e-mail at seckert@opatoday.com. Please note that the consideration of seminar delivery will be subject to program guidelines.

Pharmacists looking for materials to support work with young children have access to the Safe Meds for Kids presentation.  This interactive program is suitable for children either aged four to six, or seven to ten.  The Dino Game – All About medication Safety and Healthy Habits is another great way to educate our young people and encourage the development healthy attitudes towards medication use.  The Dino Game is suitable for ages six through nine.  Pharmacists interested in these products can contact Wendy Furtenbacher, Membership Coordinator, OPA 416-441-0788 ext. 4224 or via email at wfurtenbacher@opatoday.com

The Safe Meds for Driving program is now available for pharmacists looking to educate people in their community about how medications can affect driving ability and keep our roadways safe for everyone.  The topics covered in this presentation include Diseases Which Affect Driving, How Drugs May Impair Driving, Over the Counter Products, Pain Relievers, Sleeping Pills, Social Drugs, How the Pharmacist Can Help and more.  Pharmacists interested in accessing this program can contact Wendy Furtenbacher, membership Coordinator, OPA 416-441-0788 ext. 4224 or via email at wfurtenbacher@opatoday.com

The Ontario Pharmacists' Association gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Government and Pfizer for the Seniors' Safe Medication Use Program.

The views expressed herein are those of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Ontario.


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