Medication management for seniors can become complicated as the list of prescriptions grows. As more prescriptions are added to the mix, that creates potential danger with more side effects and dosages to keep track of. With that said, here are 5 valuable tips from our assisted living team serving Gloucester County. These safe medication management tips will help your loved one overcome common medication mistakes many seniors tend to make:
- Create a medication list for your loved
one. Making a list of all the medications they take, including the
name, dosage, frequency, and why they take it will help keep better track
of your senior parent’s health. Also, make sure another loved one or
caregiver has a copy in case there’s a medical emergency and hospital
physicians need mom or dad’s medication history stat. Attach the list to
the refrigerator or in another highly visible place so it can be easily
updated and found by others if needed.
- Refills come up fast! The best
way for your loved one to avoid missing any doses is to keep track of when
refills are coming up. It’s also important to remember that their doctor
may require a check-up appointment before authorizing more refills. If
that’s the case for mom or dad, be sure to plan their check-ups ahead of
time.
- Take notice of adverse drug reactions. All of your
loved one’s doctors and their pharmacists should be aware of every
medication prescribed to them before adding any new ones. This is because
some medications don’t work well or can cause unfavorable side effects
when combined and taken together. When your senior parent starts a new
medication, remember to ask their doctor if there’s a specific way they
should be taking it. For instance, most medications should be taken with
food in order to avoid an upset stomach. If your loved one has an adverse
reaction to a medication, report it to their doctor immediately so they
can provide a solution or alternative medication that may work better.
- Take your medications as prescribed daily. It’s
important that mom or dad understands that making changes to the dosage of
a prescription without talking to a doctor can be dangerous. Stopping
particular medications abruptly or not taking them as frequently as
directed can cause serious health risks to developing. That’s why it’s so
important to keep medications organized with a helpful tool like a
pillbox. A box with multiple clearly labeled sections for each day can be
especially helpful if your loved one takes many different medicines in the
morning and at night. You could also set alarm reminders for you and your
loved one so they take all their medicine on time each day.
- Store medicine properly and dispose of
old, expired medications to avoid confusion. Most
prescriptions are stored in a cool, dry place out of reach of pets or
young children that visit the home. Generally, seniors choose to store
their medications in a bathroom drawer or cabinet, but it’s important to
make sure the steam from the shower does not reach the pills. Another
helpful organization tip is to always carefully dispose of prescriptions
your loved one no longer needs. The safe and environmentally-friendly way
to dispose of is through the prescription drop-off sites located at most
pharmacies. You should also weed out expired bottles because the
medication is not as effective after the expiration date.
Prioritizing senior safety at UMC at Pitman
At United Methodist Communities at Pitman, our associates are on-site 24
hours a day, 7 days a week to assist senior residents in any way they require.
Whether it’s bathing, dressing for the day, or managing multiple medications,
our highly-skilled associates are ready and willing to lend a helping hand.
For more information about our assisted living services and safety
precautions for seniors at UMC
at Pitman in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our
website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/
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