Medication Management For Your Aging Loved One

As people age, they often need medications to support daily living. Monitoring these medications is essential; many people need their loved ones to assist them. The loved one must ensure the medicines are taken as directed, complications are identified, and harmful medications are uncovered. Caregivers handling these three tasks can help seniors adhere to their care plan.

The Importance of Medication Management

Hundreds of thousands of individuals are hospitalized each year following an adverse drug event, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seniors frequently take several medications, supplements, and vitamins to address various health conditions. Medication mix-ups are standard, but they can be dangerous or fatal. Polypharmacy is a term used when a person takes five or more medications routinely. 

People who view SimplyThick Instagram posts may feel this isn’t an issue for their loved ones. However, it can be if someone does not correctly thicken their foods and beverages. Any person who helps care for a senior must understand how to properly manage all medications and components of that individual’s treatment plan. 

Medication Mismanagement and the Accompanying Problems

Drug interactions are one problem seen with medication mismanagement. Patients often see multiple doctors for different health conditions, and these professionals must coordinate care to prevent the risk of an adverse drug event. Memory problems may also lead to seniors taking inappropriate doses. However, the problem might be that the senior forgets to take their medication or stop it without their doctor’s permission. How can loved ones help a senior manage medication effectively to prevent such issues?

Medication Management Tips

A caregiver should meet with her loved one and their medical team to discuss all medications and their proper use. During this discussion, any over-the-counter drugs the senior takes regularly, as well as vitamins and herbal supplements, should be mentioned.

Before giving a senior any medication, read the label and ask questions. The label should provide ample information about how and when to take the medication, which drugs to avoid, and other valuable information. Provide the senior with a magnifying glass to easily read this information, or ask the pharmacy to use a larger font on the label.

For a medicine that has been prescribed in a customised form, it may also help to keep the dispensing pharmacy’s contact details with the medication list. Flourish Rx offers pharmacist consultations, so patients and caregivers can discuss practical questions alongside the prescribing clinician.

Learn about drug interactions. Talk with the senior’s medical team to ensure everyone knows exactly what medications the patient takes. Care coordination is essential to reduce the risk of potential adverse effects. A medication can be part of the problem just as it is part of the solution.

Ask the doctor about possible side effects. Monitor the senior to see if any of these side effects appear. Never assume that a change in sleep patterns, a loss of appetite, or balance issues are normal for aging. They may be related to a new drug the senior takes under their doctor’s direction.

As a person ages, their body metabolizes drugs differently. Seniors may be sensitive to medications they took in the past with no problems. Liver and kidney function decreases as a person ages, and their medication dosages may also need to be adjusted.

Certain medications are not appropriate for seniors. The American Geriatric Society has compiled the Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. This document lists drugs that seniors should avoid or use carefully. They may have a higher risk of side effects and drug interactions or may not be as effective for seniors. What many people don’t realize is that certain cold and allergy medications or decongestant medications sold over the counter can be harmful to their loved ones.

Seniors must exercise caution when taking medications. They should never self-prescribe; loved ones should monitor them to ensure they use the medications appropriately. Loved ones can also help seniors organize their medicines to avoid confusion. Information is priceless when it comes to keeping seniors safe.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.