February 2020 Hopkins Center Drug Newsletter

February 2020

What's Happening this month:

February 13th - Double Loyalty Points

February 14th - Happy Valentine's Day

February is National Senior Independence Month

National Senior Independence Month is a great time for families to examine the living circumstances of the Seniors in their lives, and to help make them more convenient, safe and comfortable.

Some things to look at in the living situation of a Senior are:

Are walkways and open spaces wide enough to maneuver a walker through?
Are those walkways and open spaces free of obstructions/clutter and throw rugs that can be tripping hazards?
Is there open access to important areas like the refrigerator, cabinets, drawers and shelving?
Are important items on lower shelves for easier access?
Can necessary daily supplies be accessed without help?
Check the handrails on stairs to make sure they are not loose.
Are there handrails/grab bars and non-slip mats in the bathrooms?
Are all hallways and closets well lit to help prevent falls?

Medical IDs

Medical IDs are another great way for Seniors to maintain their independence. Important medical information, and in case of emergency phone numbers are vital information for Medical IDs. Although it is important that those with medical conditions wear an ID, caregivers should also wear a Medical ID. In the event that a caregiver isn't able to advocate for the person in his or her care, a Medical ID can alert emergency personnel of your loved one who needs attention. Medical IDs are there to help speak for you when you can't.

Remove home hazards

Removing home hazards can help prevent falls in the Senior population. According to the CDC, one out of every 3 adults over the age of 65 fall each year. Falls are also the leading cause of accident related deaths in this age group. Broken bones are the major injury from falls, and most often include breaks in the wrists, arms, hips and ankles. Head injuries are the second most common injury from a fall. Any senior who has hit their head should see a doctor immediately to rule out a brain injury. The CDC has identified the following factors that can increase the risk of falling. Most falls are the result of a combination of risk factors, and the more factors someone has, the higher their risk of experiencing a fall.

Vitamin D deficiency
Weak lower body
Trouble walking or balancing
Foot pain, or poorly made footwear
Medications that affect one's balance
Home hazards, such as: uneven or broken steps, lack of handrails next to stairs or in the bathroom, throw rugs or clutter that one may trip over.

Center Drug carries many items that can help with Senior Independence such as canes, ice-piks for canes, walkers, bath/shower chairs and bath transfer chairs, grab bars, elevated toilet seats, non-slip bath mats, and hand-held shower heads. If there is an item that you are looking for, but don't see in our store, please ask for assistance. We can order just about anything you would like, and it can be delivered to our store next day.

Prescription Delivery

Remember that we also offer Delivery of prescriptions (or anything else in our store). We do charge a $3.00 delivery fee; however, that fee can be a small price to pay for your safety during these cold, snowy, icy winter months.

Flu Season

We hate to keep sounding like a broken record on flu prevention, but between now and April is when we see flu cases peak in Minnesota. Remember to cover your cough, wash your hands and stay home if you are feeling sick to help prevent the spread of germs.

If you do find yourself not feeling well, stop in and we can discuss your symptoms and find the right over-the-counter products to soothe your symptoms.

New Pharmacy Technology

In last month's newsletter, we mentioned that Center Drug was going to be updating our technology this year to help serve you better. Our first upgrade will be occurring at the end of the month and the beginning of March. We will be installing a ScriptPro Robot to increase the speed at which we will be able to fill your prescriptions. Please be patient with us towards the end of the month as we will be busy making room for our new pharmacy addition, as well as training on how to use this new technology. This robot is definitely needed since we have added many new patient's to our pharmacy family due to the closing of other area pharmacies. The robot should also help to free up staff time so that we are better able to serve your needs.

Valentine's Day

It is hard to believe that Valentine's Day is just around the corner---where did January go????

Stop in soon for the best selection of Russell Stover and Abdallah chocolates, and Hallmark Cards. Kelsey has many great Valentine options available in the gift department, and if you are looking for an alternative to candy for the kids--check out our $1.25 section for some fun, inexpensive toy ideas!

Looking for something you do not see?

If you don't see a product on our shelf that you are looking for, please ask at the pharmacy and we can check to see if it is available to us from any of our wholesalers. If so, we will be happy to order it for you for next day pick up, unless it is Friday, Saturday, or Sunday--then the item will be in on Monday for you.