Medication Management for Older Patients
Polypharmacy is when a patient takes multiple medications prescribed by different health care providers for various health conditions. While some conditions require more than one drug, the higher the number of pills a senior takes daily puts them at higher risk of harmful drug interaction and overdoes. Some patients take so many medications that they lose track of what each drug is for. Patients with memory loss are most at risk of forgetting and remembering when and how much mediation to take.
The risk associated with Polypharmacy increase when:
- There may is not good communication among providers, and duplicate medications do more harm than good.
- Drug interactions can result in health risks, such as falling or confusion.
- The patient medication list is not up-to-date, so if the doctor or pharmacist does not check, a prescription might be missed.
- The risks of forgetting or doubling up on pills increases because the senior is overwhelmed by their prescription load.
To help reduce the risks related to Polypharmacy, patients taking multiple drugs should take a Medication List to their doctor appointments and in case of an emergency for the ER doctor. The Medication List should include over-the-counter drugs, alternative remedies, and prescription medications your loved one uses. Along with medicines prescribed by the doctor, make sure the following are added to the list:
- Essential oils
- Eye drops
- Gums, lozenges, or patches
- Lotions and salves
- Muscle pain ointments
- Nasal sprays
- Nutraceuticals
- Vitamins and supplements
We also recommend asking questions when your loved one’s primary care doctor or specialist recommends a new medication. Ask these three essential questions every time a doctor prescribes a new drug:
- What condition does this medication treat?
- Can any current medications be reduced or combined?
- What side effects should we watch for?
Polypharmacy can get out of control quickly for seniors with multiple health conditions and prescriptions from various health providers. A BrightStar Care registered nurse can help ensure medication is administered correctly and that side effects and interactions don’t happen. A top reason many new clients choose BrightStar Care is our ability to provide streamlined medication management under the care of our RN-Director of Nursing.
If you would like assistance with medication management for an aging loved one, a BrightStar Care nurse can talk to you about your options at home. Please call 866-618-7827 or contact us to learn more.
For more Related Reading click here: The Importance of Medication Management for Seniors.
BrightStar Care of Morris and Essex County provides 24/7 and hourly Private Duty Home Health Care and Medical Staffing Services.
We offer support around the clock, providing a full continuum of private duty health care services and special needs care. We proudly serve Morristown, Madison, Rockaway, Florham Park, Flanders, Montclair, Livingston, and Whippany.
For more information on how BrightStar Care supports families and individuals with special needs and to learn about our local team of nurses, caregivers, and home healthcare professionals – please Click Here.