The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE Falls Prevention and Health Promotion Senior Resource Team announced on May 6 that they will host an educational session about the effects of over-the-counter medications for older adults. The event, titled “Over-the-Counter Medications: What to Know for Healthy Aging,” is scheduled for May 12 at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill.
The session aims to help older adults, caregivers, and community members understand how common non-prescription drugs can impact health as people age. Organizers say this information is important because many older adults use over-the-counter remedies for pain, heartburn, allergies, or sleep problems without realizing these products may have different effects in later life.
UNC geriatrician Dr. Emmy Yang will lead the discussion and explain how some widely used medications may affect balance, memory, and cognitive function in older adults. The event will cover which over-the-counter drugs may pose risks, how to select safer alternatives, ways to read labels and identify hidden ingredients, when it is necessary to consult a healthcare provider about medication concerns, and tips for using these treatments safely.
“Attendees will gain practical guidance on: Which OTC medications may pose risks for older adults; How to choose safer alternatives; How to read labels and understand hidden ingredients; When to talk with a healthcare provider about medication concerns; Tips for getting the most benefit from OTC treatments while avoiding side effects,” organizers said in a statement.
The free session takes place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with registration required by May 11 by calling 919-968-2070. For additional questions about the event or registration process, contact Shenae McPherson at 919-245-4243.
In related local education news from recent years,the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports that among senior students taking the ACT science portion in Orange County school districts during the 2022-23 school year, nearly half were considered ready for college-level work. Similar readiness rates were observed across reading and math sections among both juniors and seniors.
