Solving Medication 'Troubles' for the Elderly! Launch of 'Safe Support Book for the Elderly and Their Medicine' for Nurses and Care Workers in Home and Facility Care

Medical Care Service Company Inc. (Saitama City, Saitama / President: Norio Yamamoto), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / President: Hiroaki Miyahara), has launched the 'Safe Support Book for the Elderly and Their Medicine: Tips and Tricks from a Pharmacist on How to Take Medication' on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

■ Solving the 'troubles' of elderly medication at home and in facilities: 'They won't take it / can't take it'!
'I'm worried if they are taking their medicine correctly.'
'They refuse to take their medicine.'
This book is a single volume in which pharmacists clearly explain how to solve these common medication-related problems faced by caregivers in their daily work.
It also introduces immediately applicable tips for the workplace, such as how to safely administer medicine to bedridden individuals who are thin and have a poor appetite, medication support that is considerate of people with dementia, and specific approaches to encourage them to take their medicine.
【Recommended for】
・People who want to acquire practical basic knowledge about medicine useful in home and facility care.
・People who want to learn about high-quality medication support from the perspective of dementia care and care for bedridden individuals.
・People who want to acquire knowledge about elderly medication and apply it safely and securely in their work.

■ Understanding drug side effects and points of caution from a pharmacist's perspective
This book explains in detail the assessment process pharmacists use to detect side effects and changes in physical condition, and what points they usually focus on.
It can be used as a support book to accurately identify what should be reported and shared with doctors and pharmacists based on observations and realizations like 'they seem different than usual' or 'something feels risky.'
【Effects of medicine on the elderly】Key points to remember!
・With aging, the body's ability to absorb, metabolize, and excrete drugs weakens.
・Strong side effects can lead to accidents such as falls and fractures.
・For the elderly, who often take many medications, attention must also be paid to drug-drug interactions.

■ Learn tips to avoid trouble with common on-site case studies and Q&A
This book features tips for overcoming common medication errors and troubles in home and nursing care facilities, presented in a Q&A format based on specific case studies.
Q1: A user living alone is suspected of having dementia. Neither the user nor their family seems to know about their regular medications. How do you gather information?
A. 【Clues to a solution】
・Estimate the currently taken medications from the actual drugs, medicine bags, and leftover medication at home.
・Compare the actual drugs with the medication handbook and information provided by medical institutions to check for discrepancies.
・For any unclear points, contact external organizations such as the prescribing medical institution or dispensing pharmacy to obtain more accurate information.
【Pharmacist's Deep Dive】The importance of medication management for patients with heart failure and diabetes.
For elderly individuals with conditions like heart failure or diabetes, as in the case study, even a slight missed dose or irregular intake can directly lead to a rapid deterioration of their condition (re-hospitalization). Information gathering must be done quickly and accurately, as the adjustment of diuretics and management of hypoglycemic agents significantly impact life prognosis.

Q16: A user with dementia symptoms seems somewhat restless after starting a new medication. Could the medicine be the cause?
A. 【Clues to a solution】
・Check if dementia treatment drugs are being used concurrently with drugs that could potentially cause cognitive impairment.
・Check for signs of drug-induced delirium, such as nightmares or a decline in memory.
・Check if any drugs that could potentially cause depression are being administered.
【Pharmacist's Deep Dive】Check for drugs that could be a direct factor in delirium!
By carefully selecting and introducing the most important points to remember when administering medicine to the elderly, this book allows readers to acquire knowledge in a practical format.

【Table of Contents】
Chapter 1: The Elderly Body and Its Relationship with Medicine
Chapter 2: Techniques & Points for Successful Medication Administration
Chapter 3: Medications Requiring Caution in the Elderly
Chapter 4: Medication Problems Q&A

【Author Profile】
Hiroaki Araki
Emeritus Professor, Ehime University
Professor and Director, Department of Pharmacy, Ehime University Hospital

■ Product Overview
Product Name: 'Safe Support Book for the Elderly and Their Medicine: Tips and Tricks from a Pharmacist on How to Take Medication'
Editor/Author: Hiroaki Araki
Price: 1,980 JPY (tax included)
Release Date: May 28, 2026 (Thursday)
Format: A5 / 144 pages
E-book: Available
ISBN: 978-4-05-802726-4
Publisher: Medical Care Service Company Inc.
Publisher/Distributor: Gakken Co., Ltd.