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Medication can save lives when it’s administered and taken correctly. According to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, over 66 percent of adult Americans take some form of prescription medication.
If you have a loved one who needs help with medication management, the right caregiver support can make things easier.
Read on to learn some helpful tips regarding good medication management and senior care.
Store and Organize Medication
If your loved one is taking a variety of medications, it’s important to keep everything safely stored and properly organized. Start by going through each prescription and determining which medications are expired, then dispose of them correctly.
Once you have all of the medication laid out, you can start to separate and organize them by day and time. A large pill organizer with AM and PM compartments will make this part of the process easier.
If possible, set up automatic refills with the pharmacy so that your loved one never runs out of medication. Many pharmacies will now deliver medication right to your loved one’s door. When in doubt, have your professional home care aide assist you.
Caregiver Support: Medicine Administration Tips
One of the biggest risks to seniors is having them miss a dose or taking more medication than what’s prescribed. Sit down with your home health care aide or your loved one’s doctor to discuss the best ways to administer the medicine.
Come up with an agreeable timeframe and schedule. This makes it easier to keep track of when the medication is given and by whom.
Assign specific roles to different people for caregiver support. For example, if you visit in the morning, you can give the morning dose, and the in-home care agency can give the evening dose.
Learn More About the Medication
It’s always a good idea to learn as much as you can about the medication your loved one takes. Ask their doctor for an information sheet and find out if there are any interactions you should be aware of.
The more you know about the possible side effects and interactions, the more you can monitor your elderly loved one’s health. Remember to store extra medication safely out of reach to avoid accidental overdose.
When you know the role and the specific health-related goal of certain drugs, you can determine whether the medicine is doing what it should. You’ll also be able to identify if there are any severe side effects that your loved one’s doctor should know about.
Good Medication Management Equals Better Care
Remember these tips to help you provide caregiver support and manage medication intake better. With the right practices and habits and a great team by your side, your loved one can stay healthy for longer.
Proper storage, organization, and timed dosage can make all the difference.
If you’re looking for a compassionate, reliable in-home care agency near you, be sure to contact us today to learn more.
