Older adults often develop multiple chronic conditions that require treatment with several prescription medications as they age. Medication management can become daunting for caregivers, especially when caring for someone with complex health needs. Ensuring medication safety is crucial for older adults to avoid adverse drug reactions, medication errors, and other complications.
Organizing and administering medication for your parents might soon become one of your responsibilities as a family caregiver. What are some tips to help your loved one?
How can you help your parent take their medication daily? Finding a way to organize their medications helps tremendously. Partner with your parent to maintain their health. Here are several things you can do to help:
You as the caregiver and your loved one should both have a copy of the most updated medication list on you at all times. Keep it in your wallet or purse. Hospitalizations can happen fast, and having an updated medication list will ensure that no medications are prescribed or administered in an emergency situation that the older adult is allergic to and to ensure no medication interactions take place.
It is common for older adults to refuse to take any medicine. For many reasons, including fear of dependence, distrust of doctors, dementia or cognitive decline, or a lack of understanding about the importance of treatment, patients often skip their prescribed medication.
Getting someone to take their medication can be challenging. Here are some tips that may help caregivers get someone to take their medicine:
Visual aids such as pictures or written instructions can help people, particularly those with dementia or cognitive decline, understand what they need to do. For example, placing a picture of a pill next to a glass of water may prompt them to take their medication.
Establishing a routine for taking medication can help people remember to take it. Caregivers should try administering medication at the same time each day and in the same location to help establish a routine.
Simplify the medication administration process using pill organizers or pre-packaged medication doses. This can make it easier to take their medication as they may not have to remember how much or when to take it.
Individuals with cognitive decline may need extra time and patience to take their medication. Caregivers should approach the task calmly and try not to rush the individual. They should also give clear instructions and wait for the individual to follow through.
Rewarding individuals for taking their medication can encourage compliance. For example, praising them for taking their medication or offering a small treat after taking medication may motivate them to continue taking it.
If the individual resists taking medication, caregivers can try putting the medication in food or drinks that the person enjoys. For example, crushing a pill and mixing it with applesauce may make it easier to take their medication.
Involving them in the process may give them a sense of control and ownership. Caregivers can ask the individual to help with preparing their medication or allow them to choose the medicine they want to take first.
If the individual continues to resist taking their medication, caregivers should seek help from a healthcare professional.
Over 177,000 older adults end up in the hospital each year because of medication mistakes.
Safety issues include:
Here are some medication management and safety tips for caregivers caring for older adults.
Keeping a list of medications can help avoid duplication of therapy or harmful drug interactions. Caregivers can create a medication list with the name of the medication, the dosage, the frequency, and the prescribing doctor. They can also include over-the-counter medications and supplements the older adult takes. Updating the list regularly can help ensure that it remains accurate.
It is essential to know the side effects of each medication to help identify when a medication may be causing an adverse reaction. Caregivers should also look for drug interactions with new medicines, supplements, and over-the-counter medications.
Older adults can forget to take their medication or take more than the prescribed dose. Caregivers can set up pillboxes, alarms, or reminders on their phones to ensure that older adult takes their medication on time.
Communication is crucial in medication management. Caregivers should inform healthcare providers of any medication changes or adverse reactions immediately. Healthcare providers can adjust medication dosages and frequency or discontinue medications causing adverse reactions.
Caregivers should understand how to administer medications correctly. They should read the medication label and follow the instructions provided by the healthcare provider. Caregivers should also ensure that the older adult takes the medication with food or at a specific time of day, as prescribed.
Medications should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight, and out of the reach of children. Caregivers should also check the expiration dates of medications and dispose of expired medications safely.
Caregivers should observe any changes in the older adult's health or symptoms that may indicate that a medication is not working as intended. This information can be relayed to healthcare providers, who can adjust medications accordingly.
Medication management can become overwhelming, especially when multiple medications are involved. Caregivers can stay organized by using a medication management app or chart. These tools can help caregivers track medication schedules and provide reminders.
In case of a medication error or an adverse drug reaction, caregivers should have emergency contact information readily available. This information can include the contact information for healthcare providers, poison control centers, and emergency services.
What should you do if you suspect your parent has made a life-threatening mistake with their mediation? Call 911 immediately if your loved one appears disoriented, unconscious, vomiting violently, in extreme pain, or has other severe reactions. You should remain calm and reassure your loved one while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
Medication is a vital part of staying healthy and living longer. It can be difficult for an older person to remember to take all the medications they need, especially if they have multiple prescriptions or are on several different types of drugs. If you notice that your elderly loved one has forgotten to take medicine, it's important to remind them. Use the helpful tips in this article to help your parent stay safe and healthy.
