Tips for Safe Medication Management for Seniors

With over 10,000 prescription medicines available in the U.S., it’s no wonder that so many senior adults – about one in three – are taking a minimum of five of them every day. And family caregivers know firsthand the difficulties of medication management for seniors. In fact, studies show that as many as 55% of prescription drugs are being taken incorrectly for a variety of reasons, and the results can be extremely harmful. 

Decrease the risk for mistakes with these medication management tips for seniors, courtesy of one of the best agencies for home care in Traverse City and surrounding communities – Compassionate Care Home Health Services:

Educate yourself on each prescription. If you’re uncertain of the correct dose, management or side effects of a senior’s meds, ask the doctor or pharmacist for the following types of information:

  • The name of the drug (brand and generic)
  • Why the medication is being prescribed
  • The length and duration for taking the drug
  • The correct dosage and time of day to take the medication
  • Potential side effects and drug interactions, along with how the medicine should be taken (for instance, on an empty stomach, with a full glass of water, etc.)

Additionally, be sure to ask the senior’s health care provider to regularly perform a medication review to verify which meds are still necessary and which ones could perhaps be stopped.

Maintain an up-to-date list of all meds. Creating a detailed list of all prescribed medicines, OTC drugs, and vitamins and supplements that the older adult is taking can be a great help at doctors’ appointments. The list should cover all of the information above, plus:

  • The shape, size and color of the med (include a picture of the drug if possible)
  • The prescribing doctor’s name and number 
  • The date each medicine was first taken, and whether or not it should be refilled and taken ongoing
  • The date the list was last updated

Compassionate Care Home Health Services can help carry out these medication management tips for older adults, as well as provide a full range of customized home care services to enhance health and quality of life. Contact us online or at (877) 308-1212 to learn more about our home care in Traverse City and the surrounding areas.

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