Does your loved one have to take several medications every day? The ability for your senior loved one to remain independent in their own home, can depend on their ability to manage their medications. It can be confusing to remember what pills need to be taken and when. A simple error can put seniors at a higher risk for a medical issue, adverse reaction or emergency.
You can encourage your mom and dad to set up an effective medication management program so that they can confidently take their pills without error. How can you do this?
- Have a conversation. Discuss medication management with your senior loved one. Even though this can be an uncomfortable conversation, remember, talking today could help your aging loved one remain independent longer. Encourage them to do the same with their doctors and pharmacists.
- Prepare. Sort medications in a pill box or have the pharmacy prepare mom or dads' medications in a blister pack. This can eliminate a lot of confusion as your senior loved one will know what time and when to take their pills. This can also help with refills, by sorting medications weekly you will be able to monitor when a refill is needed.
- Gather all medications in one place. With your mom or dad's help, pull together all the prescription drugs, vitamins, and over-the-counter medicines that they take and store them all in a place that will prompt your loved one to remember to take them.
- Create and maintain an up to date list of medications. Include how often they're taken, dosages, the doctor that prescribed them, the purpose for each drug, and whether it's a long term or short-term drug.
- Seek outside help. Have a professional CAREGiver from Home Instead step in to ensure mom and dad are taking their medications.
Home Instead offers many resources including Let's Talk about Rx (https://www.letstalkaboutrx.ca) Let's Talk about Rx has many resources to help you begin the conversation with your loved one regarding medication. This tool can guide you in helping them understand the potential risks associated with medication mismanagement and provide additional resources that can help your loved one manage these issues in their own home.
Reach out to Home Instead today at (902) 429-2273 to set up complimentary care needs assessment with our Client Care Coordinator. At that time, we can help you come up with a medication management plan that will help keep your senior loved one safe, giving you peace of mind.
