When our elderly loved ones are already taking medications, they need constant supervision. Without diligent checking, there could be medication mismanagement and non-adherence. As a provider of Home Care Services in California, safe medication management is one of the things we can help you with.
For that, here are some tips to guide you in a senior person’s medication management:
- Ensure that medicines are stored in a safe location.
Keep them from moist and heat. These can affect the potency of many medicines and you would not want this to happen to your loved one’s pills. Ensure that their storage location is in a cool and dry place. Yes, the refrigerator can be a storage option - Keep all their medications in the same storage location.
Ensure that these medicines are easily accessible. At the same time, keep these away from the reach of children, pets, and persons with developmental disabilities. A common storage area can help you monitor if the meds were taken on time or not. - Organize their medicines weekly.
For this, you can also use pill organizers that contain weekly labels. Proper organization simplifies the medication routine that your loved one is following. By doing so, their adherence also improves. If you’re not staying with your family member, you can request for a provider of Non-Medical Home Care in San Jose, California to do this for you. - Remember to update the list of your loved one’s medications.
If you have a medication list, you can note down which medicines have yielded unwanted side effects. Update the list if ever there are changes or adjustments to the dosage. This list guides your loved one or their caregivers in following through the required intake. - Create medication reminders.
Whether it’s a posted note at the refrigerator door or a speaking digitized alarm clock, these reminders can help. Ensure that your loved one knows it’s time for their meds. Reminders are ideal for seniors who want to preserve their sense of independence. - Assess for any drug-to-drug interaction.
Another medication issue that you would not want to happen to your loved one is the negative interaction among the current meds they are taking. Yet, when they need to take more than one pill every day, this possibility is close. Coordinate with their physicians or pharmacists. This way, you can spot the symptoms of negative interactions right away. - Follow the doctor’s prescriptions or medicine label’s instructions.
These instructions are indicated for a good reason. Following them to the tee can help promote a better well-being of your patient. If you also have clarifications about these instructions, ensure that you get these clarified first. The doctor or pharmacist can help clarify questions before administering the medication.
Let your loved one attain their best health through proper medication management. If you ever need help in getting their medications, we have Non-Emergency Transportation at Boundless Care, Inc.
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