Avoiding Medication Errors in Seniors

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Helping Older Adults Prevent Medication Mishaps in Montgomery, AL

Medication mishaps can result in deadly health complications. Without a comprehensive medication management plan, your aging loved could accidentally grab an extra pill first thing in the morning or go to bed without taking all of his or her prescriptions. Luckily, those issues can usually be avoided with a solid plan and a little bit of diligence. Here are some of the precautions you can take to prevent medication mishaps.

Research All Medications Being Taken

Whenever your loved one is given a new prescription, spend some time researching the medication. You also need to keep a spreadsheet of all the medications and supplements your loved one is taking. The spreadsheet should include information such as dosages, potential side effects, alternative brand names, and the appearance of each pill. If there are ever any medical emergencies, you can give the spreadsheet to the doctor or nurse.

Professional in-home caregivers can assist with medication management. Montgomery home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

Keep All Medications, Supplements, and Vitamins in One Place

Every pill your loved one is taking needs to be kept in a single location. The pills can be kept in a designated cabinet or drawer, but you might want to lock them away if there are younger children or teenagers in the home. You should also make sure all of the drugs and supplements have clear labels and are stored in separate bottles.

Fill All Prescriptions at the Same Time

Building a relationship with your loved one’s pharmacist is another great way to reduce your risk of a medication mishap. An experienced pharmacist can double-check all of the information before handing any prescriptions over. When you have all the prescriptions filled at the same time, the pharmacist will be able to look over everything, tell you if any of the pills can’t be mixed, and give you suggestions on when each drug should be taken to minimize side effects like nausea and diarrhea.

Sort Medications at the Start of the Week

You might not be present every time your loved one needs to take a pill, which is why you should consider presorting the medications at the start of the week. The pharmacy most likely sells a wide variety of pill organizers with different types of compartments and labels. Carefully filling the compartments at the start of the week can help your loved one stay organized and safe. You might also want to keep a checklist next to the organizer so your loved one can mark down whenever he or she takes a pill.

Family caregivers are often too busy to manage their loved one’s medications. In such cases, professional caregivers can be of great help. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional elder care, Montgomery Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.

Download a Medication Management App

There are many pill tracking apps that can help you manage your loved one’s medications, supplements, and vitamins. The apps can alert your loved one when it’s time to take certain drugs or automatically place new orders when the current supply is running low. Some of them even have drug reference charts that explain exactly what a pill is by its shape, color, and numbering.

Avoiding medication mishaps is one of the essential responsibilities of family caregivers. For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Montgomery, AL, Home Care Assistance is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break. Call (334) 593-3988 today to schedule a free in-home consultation.

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