Pharmacies and doctors’ offices often change their hours around holidays, which makes a last-minute refill harder to get. Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year, so early November is the time to check your supply. 

This checklist on prescription refills for seniors from Senior Helpers Northern Bronx shows you what to count, who to call, and what to pack if you travel. 

Prescription Refills for Seniors Start With a Pill Count 

Gather every prescription in one place. Read each label for the refills remaining and the date of the last fill. Then check how much medication is left in each bottle.

Record what you find on one sheet of paper, including:

• The medication name
• The number of days of medication left
• The refills remaining
• The name of the prescribing doctor

Mark any prescription that will run out between Thanksgiving and the New Year, so you know which ones to follow up on first.

Call the Pharmacy Before the Rush

Pharmacies tend to be busiest in the weeks before a holiday. Ask about their holiday hours and whether the marked prescriptions can be filled early. Also, find out what to do if a refill requires new authorization from your doctor.

Getting these details ahead of time can help prevent delays in getting your medication. Insurance plans set their refill timing rules, and your pharmacist can explain yours. If you need an exception, such as for travel, ask the pharmacist or your doctor’s office how to request one.

Call the Doctor's Office About Anything That's Expired

A prescription with no refills left needs your doctor’s approval, and doctors’ offices also adjust their hours for holidays. Call early. 

Bring up any questions about a dose change or side effect during the same call. Only your doctor can determine the right course of action.

Writing your questions at the bottom of your medication sheet keeps them in one place. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s list of questions to ask your doctor gives you a starting point. Never stretch a supply by skipping doses unless your doctor tells you to.

Plan for Travel and Winter Storms

When traveling, keep your medications in their original labeled bottles in your carry-on bag. Pack a few extra days' supply in case your trip is delayed.

Winter storms can also keep you at home. Ready.gov's page for older adults covers emergency planning, including packing medicines in your emergency supply kit.

Keep an up-to-date copy of your medication list in your wallet and another at home in an easy-to-find spot. It allows anyone assisting you in an emergency to access the information quickly. Finishing prescription refills for seniors early also gives your emergency kit a fresh supply.

A Hand With Errands Across the Northern Bronx

Getting to the pharmacy in cold weather can be difficult. Senior Helpers Northern Bronx offers in-home care that includes help with errands, rides to appointments, companionship, and medication reminders. Caregivers provide reminders but do not administer medications.

Services are available across Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Baychester, Co-op City, and Edenwald. Contact us before the Thanksgiving rush begins.