Many older individuals here in the Fort Wayne area take several pills daily, from prescription medications to vitamins and other supplements. Keeping track of so many different medications can be challenging, especially for individuals suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, and, if not monitored carefully, can lead to serious problems. What can you do as a caregiver to ensure that your loved one is taking the correct medications at the right times. Here are a few helpful hints.
- Create a chart to track medications. On the chart, include the name of each medication, the way in which it must be administered, the proper dosage, the frequency with which it must be taken, any relevant time limit on the prescription, and the reason for taking the medication. Make sure that you, your elderly family member, and your family member’s doctor and pharmacist each have a copy.
- Check expiration dates on medications. Make sure that all of the medications that your loved one is taking are current, and dispose of medications that are out of date. Be sure to follow proper medication disposal procedures; simply flushing pills down the toilet, for instance, can contaminate drinking water. Instead, take the expired medications to your pharmacist.
- Read labels carefully. Many medications need to be stored at specific temperatures, or can interact negatively with other types of medication.
- Purchase a pill organizer for your loved one’s use. Most pill organizers are quite inexpensive, and can be invaluable in helping elderly ones to make sure that they do not overdose on medications.
- Does your loved one have the tendency to forget to take medications, consider using a medication reminder device or a call reminder service to help him or her remember to take medications.
Staying in the Loop
When your aging loved one receives a new prescription, don’t be afraid to ask the doctor for particulars specifics about the medication’s effects. Your loved one may not remember all of the information he or she was given, or may not pay much attention to specific details about new medications. Therefore, it is important to get detailed information directly from the doctor if at all possible. Find out what medication has been prescribed, its use, and the proper dosage. Be sure to ask how soon it will take effect, and what signs to look for in order to know if it’s working properly. Discuss the medications that your loved is already taking, and find out if mixing any of the drugs can have ill effects. Rather than trying to rely on your own memory to remember what the doctor says, write down the information you are given. That way, you and your loved one can stay informed.
Spotting Medication Errors
What if you cannot always be present to monitor the administration your family member’s medication? Look for the following signs to spot potential medication errors:
- Sudden changes in habits, personality, appearance, or speech
- Unusual complaints about tiredness, stress, or anxiety
- Expressions of confusion about medication routines
- Bruises or other signs of falls
While tracking all of your loved ones medications can be difficult, there is much that can be done to prevent errors. Remember that you are only one person, and may not be able to be present 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Make sure that respite care workers and other family members are also familiar with your loved one’s medication routine, so that they can assist with medication monitoring as well. In the end, staying well informed and organized can give you much peace of mind. If you need additional assistance with you loved one, contact your local Area Agency on Aging, here in Fort Wayne.
Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library
