5 Tips to Help Seniors Keep Their Medication Straight

Medication Straight

5 Tips to Help Seniors Keep Their Medication Straight

When it comes to top notch senior care in Delray Beach, FL, the concern over prescription medication needs to be at the forefront of any smart and responsible healthcare strategy. Senior citizens are prescribed an average of three different medications at any time and this can make it tough to keep track of which ones need to be taken when.

These medications are essential to the successful  health for seniors as they are prescribed for things like high blood pressure, pain, hypothyroid, acid reflux, and heart health. Needless to say, that if a senior misses a dosage or two medications have a negative interaction, that can pose some significant health hazards putting an elderly adult at risk.

The biggest problems stem from a senior forgetting to take their medication or confusing it with another, leading to the potential for overdose.

In an effort to help seniors keep their medication straight, here are five things that can be done to ensure that only the right medicines are taken and on time:

1. Stay Organized

A good way to start is by gathering all of the medications that a senior has been prescribed and keep them in one place. This will make it easy to find the right prescription when it’s time to take it. Be sure each vial or bottle is clearly marked. Sometimes the labels that the pharmacy prints up contain text that is too small to read. So, rewrite the label in larger print and tape it to the medication.

2. Devise A System

You might want to create a system where all of the pills or syrups that should be consumed are spaced out by days of the week. In addition, setting a timetable or daily routine for taking these medications can make it easier for your senior to remember which ones should be taken on which day. Once this timetable becomes a routine, managing medications becomes a whole lot simpler.

3. Inventory Log

Sometimes a senior will be given a prescription that comes with multiple refills. But it’s up to you and your senior to know when to fill that prescription again, you don’t want to be late and end up missing a dose or two. So, create an inventory log that lets you and your senior know how many pills are left and when it’s time to refill. That way you’re better prepared to have the refill on hand when needed.

4. Watch for Interactions

When two medications don’t interact well with one another, the results can be deadly. The doctor caring for your elderly adult is likely to know which medications he or she is on and will be careful to avoid prescribing anything else that might interact poorly. Always trust but verify in situations like this, one mistake could cost an elderly adult his or her life.

5. Dedicated Management

Try not to make medication management complicated or time-consuming. Many seniors can feel overwhelmed by all of the prescriptions and vitamins and supplements they need to take and it could get confusing and even tiresome. They may lose track or even interest in taking their medicines. Keep it simple when you can, it will be better for everyone involved.

No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.