It's not a secret that as we get older, our bodies go through a lot of changes. These changes not only affect how we live, but also how our bodies work. The most important thing about our bodies is how they take in and react to the medicines we consume. Taking care of your senior loved one's medications and watching how their bodies react to them is an important part of senior care. Especially if your loved ones are taking a lot of different medicines at the same time or are having a lot of big changes in their bodies.
Tips for Staying Ahead
Keep A Record- You need to keep a record of all the medications your loved ones are taking or have taken. In this record, you should write down the following things:
- The medicine’s brand and chemical name
- What the medication looks like
- The date they started taking the medication
- The expiration date of the medication
- What the medicine is for
- The strength of the medication (typically milligrams)
- The dosage to be taken and when
- How the dosage should be taken (IE: with food, before bed)
- Possible side effects of the medication
- Storage instructions
- Whether or not refills are needed
- The doctor that prescribed the medication
- The pharmacy where the prescription is filled
Keep a record of your loved one's health, too. It could be that they've changed their general behavior, such as how much food they eat or how often they sleep, or how their mood changes. This could give doctors more information about how the drugs are affecting your loved ones and how to continue their senior care.
Keep in Touch With Doctors- Share your records with your loved one's doctors so they can look at them. They will be the ones to figure out if the dose needs to be changed, as well as if there are any dangerous drug interactions.
Use One Pharmacy- When getting medicine, it's best to go to one pharmacy when possible. Consequently, the pharmacist will be able to better keep an eye on the prescriptions your loved ones are taking and will be the second line of defense against dangerous drug interactions.
Use Medication Management Aids- Elders and their families can do a lot of things to make sure that their loved ones are taking their medicines the right way. It's easy and common for people to buy a pillbox or a pill dispenser to help them remember to take their pills. Both can be customized to meet the most basic or complex drug management needs. You could also set an alarm clock or make plans with your older loved one to gently remind them that it's time.
Assign A Leader- This person will be your loved one's main point of contact when they need help navigating the healthcare system or their senior care. They will be in charge of organizing and going to important medical appointments, keeping track of prescriptions and other health-related data, and keeping an eye on their loved one's health with the help of medical professionals.
Trying to figure out how to better manage your loved one’s medications? If you need help, BrightStar Care of W. Volusia County is here for you! Contact us online or by phone at (386) 233-9009.