Medication list for an elderly parent: a free printable, and what to put on it
From Centis, a free care notebook you talk to.
One page with everything your parent takes, so the answer to “what medicines is she on?” is in your hand at every appointment, at the pharmacy, and in an emergency. Its columns follow the CDC’s own My Medications List form.
It prints as the list alone, in black and white.
Everything taken now: prescription, over the counter, vitamins, supplements, herbal
| Medicine and strength | What it's for | Dose and when | Prescribed by | Started | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stopped
| Medicine | Stopped | Why, in the words used |
|---|---|---|
Bring this to every appointment and the pharmacy, and update it with every change. Questions about the medicines are for the doctor or pharmacist. · centis.app/medication-list-for-elderly-parent
Questions about a parent’s medication list
- What should go on a parent's medication list?Everything they take, prescription or not: the name, what it's for, the dose and when they take it, who prescribed it, and when it started.
- Do vitamins and supplements go on the list?Yes. The CDC's own list asks for every prescription and over-the-counter medicine, vitamin, supplement and herbal product.
- Should the list include medicines my parent stopped taking?Yes. The CDC suggests listing what was stopped because of an allergic reaction or for other reasons, like side effects, cost, or because it didn't work.
- How often should I update a parent's medication list?Every time something changes. The CDC's words: “Update this list any time you make a change to what you take.”
- Where should I keep my parent's medication list?Where it can be found fast: a copy that goes to every appointment, one at home, and one on your phone, all the same version.
- Who should see my parent's medication list?Anyone treating your parent: the CDC says to bring it “any time you go for health care, like to your doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or a hospital.”
- What isn't a medication list for?It isn't for deciding anything about the medicines. Changing, stopping or combining them is for your parent's doctor or pharmacist to advise on.
When a doctor changes something, it’s easy to forget by the time you get home. Centis keeps a dated note from what you say out loud, so the list is easy to update later. Try Centis.