One of the first questions to ask aging parents when helping them navigate their healthcare journey is about the medications they are taking. Studies conducted by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists have reported that 87% of seniors take at least one prescription drug, while 36% take five or more. It was also noted that 38% use over-the-counter medications.
Knowing which medications your parent takes can ensure effective elderly medication management and avoid common mistakes like taking the wrong dosage or missing doses. Taking the correct medications at the correct times will help your loved one stay on track with their health goals.
As you assist your elderly friend or parent in creating a medication management plan, here are seven useful tips:
Make a List
An easy way to keep track of all the medications someone is taking is to create a digital or handwritten list. The list should include prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, herbal supplements and other remedies. In addition to the name of each medication, you should also include the following:
- Contact Information of the healthcare provider
- Medication Purpose
- Dosage instructions
- Medication Usage (short term or long term)
Speak With the Senior’s Pharmacist And/or Doctor
After making the list, review it with the senior’s pharmacist and/or primary doctor to identify any redundant medications, potential interactions and side effects. They may recommend medications that should be added or removed.
Discuss Medication Usage
You may not always be around when it’s time for someone to take their medicine. In this case, they should know how to take their medications independently. Discuss when and how to take medications to prevent adverse side effects or other forms of medication mismanagement.
If you are still worried about your loved one taking certain medications alone, forms of senior care such as companion care may be helpful. The in-home caregivers at FirstLight don’t administer medication, but they do provide elderly medication management through regular reminders, assistance with pre-measured medicines and monitoring medication side effects.
Properly Store Medications
To follow safe medication management practices, all medicines should be kept in a cool, dry place such as a kitchen cabinet (away from the stove and sink) or drawer. They should also be stored in a location that is easily accessible for your loved one and away from children or pets.
Pre-Sort Medications for the Week
Staying organized is essential for good elderly medication management. Take time at the beginning of the week to organize the medications your loved one needs to take. This can save time and prevent them from taking the wrong medications.
Involve Your Loved One in the Process
It’s easy to keep seniors out of the medication management. However, they need to be involved to maintain autonomy. Allow them to pick out a pill container to hold their medications or help to sort the medications each week are just a few ways to continue empowering the elderly during this process.
Create a Re-Fill Plan
Getting medication refills on time ensures your loved one stays on track with their health long-term. When pre-sorting medications each week, it may be useful to keep track of how much medication is left and create a plan with your adult parent to get the prescription refilled. Developing a plan with the physician and pharmacist about automatic refills for certain medications, can also streamline the process.
Practice Proper Medication Safety for Seniors With FirstLight Home Care
Taking on elderly medication management does not have to be overwhelming. Having the proper systems and the right outside support can make all the difference. Thankfully, FirstLight Home Care offers companion care services to help you and your adult parent handle medication management with ease. Our caregivers are ready to empower your loved one!
Contact a FirstLight Home Care location near you and help your loved one safely manage their medications.