Medication management requires seniors and their caregivers to work together to prevent serious mishaps. Older adults can use the following tips to ensure they take their medicines on time and in the correct doses.
Stick to the Same Pharmacy
Seniors should let their doctors know about all of their prescription and over-the-counter medications. However, mix-ups can still happen, and pharmacies serve as an additional defense against dangerous drug interactions. When seniors go to the same pharmacy every time, the pharmacists become more familiar with their medication routines. Many pharmacies keep digital records that send alerts if a senior is prescribed a medication that cannot be mixed with another one on his or her list.
Medication management can be difficult for older adults with serious health issues such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Use Pill Organizers
The risk of medication mishaps increases with each new prescription, since keeping up with multiple pills can be difficult for older adults. Look for a pill organizer your loved one feels comfortable using. Pill organizers often come in daily, weekly, and monthly forms, and some can automatically dispense each dose as needed. Seniors who are constantly away from home may also need to use travel organizers to manage their medications.
Set Reminder Alarms
On busy days, seniors may forget to take their medications. For this reason, you can use alarms that will alert you when it’s time for your loved one’s next dose. You can find alarm apps that work with smartphones, or you could set a timer on your loved one’s wristwatch. Either way, an alarm serves as a backup plan if your loved one gets distracted near the time for the next dose.
Assisting with medication management can be a challenging task for overworked caregivers. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Lincoln, CA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
Keep a Medication Journal or Log
Some seniors have a tendency to forget whether they took their medications on time. When this happens, having a medication log helps you quickly determine if your loved one needs to take a dose. Keep in mind the log doesn’t have to be fancy. A simple notepad and pen are all it takes to keep track of medications.
Appoint Someone Else to Double-Check
Seniors often help out their spouses by checking each other’s medications. However, your loved one may need to ask for assistance from someone else if he or she lives alone. You can stop by regularly to remind your loved one to take medications, especially if he or she has a mental health issue such as dementia. You can also hire a professional caregiver to provide medication reminders. Knowing someone else double-checks on your loved one’s safety gives you added reassurance that you can prevent a medication mishap.
Older adults who need help managing their medications should consider professional in-home care. Families shouldn’t have to worry about finding reliable elderly home care. Lincoln Home Care Assistance is a leading provider of elderly home care. We offer a proprietary program called the Balanced Care Method, which uses holistic methods to promote senior health, our caregivers and Care Managers are available 24/7, and all of our in-home care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.