It’s everywhere in the news: the surge in opioid addiction and the deadly consequences that can result. And seniors are not immune: data show that one in three Medicare beneficiaries received an opioid prescription in 2015. Regular agebuzz readers will remember that back in February, we highlighted a piece from Kaiser Health News about how a physician should think about prescribing opioids for older patients. Now, from the patient’s perspective, consider this: what questions should you be asking your physician when you receive an opioid prescription for pain management? Besides concern about addiction, seniors can be seriously affected by opioid use, with memory, cognitive and balance problems all possible consequences. Often, patients don’t even realize that their physician has prescribed an opioid. So, before you fill that new prescription, and swallow that pill, take a moment and Read Here about what the Harvard Women’s Health Watch thinks you need to consider about opioids.