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Medication may be a crucial part of an older person’s life at some point. It might take some time for your senior to get used to the process of medication management for seniors. Some seniors do it on their own, while others gain assistance from family.
Let’s look at some tips for effective medication management for seniors.
Why Medication Management Matters For Seniors
Medication management is crucial for seniors living independently. It becomes critical when older people have chronic conditions that need daily management.
Seniors who live alone tend to face trouble managing medication responsibly because they may not have anyone checking in on them. There’s the risk of overdose and other problems if medications are not taken correctly.
Learn How To Read Medication Labels
Medication management for seniors involves reading labels. Often, medication packaging for seniors contains instructions in small fonts. When seniors have problems reading small print on labels, it is helpful to have a second pair of eyes to do so.
Medication Instructions
Pills can be tiny, and it is easy to miss taking one. Seniors should know the instructions for every medication they take. In fact, they should ask the doctor how many pills to take and when.
Medications need to be taken at specific times every day. The instructions may also include nutritional advice like whether medications need to be swallowed with water or food.
Take medication at the right time for your self-care. For example, if you take nasal spray for allergies, you may need to take it at night.
Viewing Prescription Information
Keep records of the medication you take. When you buy medication at a pharmacy, you should provide it with your local prescription. You can ask to receive a hard copy or print it off yourself.
Review The Caution Statement
All medication labels contain a caution section. It has vital information on whether you can take the drug with other medicines, how it should be taken, and what happens if you overdose. Please review and know the cautions associated with each medication.
Medication Management Tips
Creating a routine is very important for seniors taking medicine regularly. It becomes difficult to track medication intake if you are taking your medications at different times every day.
Track When The Senior Takes Their Medication
The most essential thing to remember is that the medicine should be taken on a regular basis as prescribed. If you are taking multiple medications, it is important to know what time of day the drugs should be taken. Usually, medications will include this information on the label.
Use Notifications For Reminders
It’s common for seniors to forget to take their medicine and end up missing multiple days in a row. One way to avoid this is by setting reminder or alarm notifications on a seniors phone.
Use Pill Organizers To Stay Ahead
Pill organizers are very helpful for seniors taking multiple medications. Most pill dispensers can hold several pills and usually, they come with a compartment to hold drugs for specific times of the day. One may ask their pharmacist to recommend a pill holder.
Journal Side Effects and Medication Interactions
For anyone taking multiple medications, keeping a journal is ideal. It allows you to track how you’re feeling and if your body is responding well to medication.
Keep track of health changes such as weight, side effects, etc. As you age, it’s important to learn more about your body and how it’s reacting to medication.
Additional Help Medication Management For Seniors
It is a good idea to have a family member or a caregiver help with medication management. You could also consider engaging in a senior community that provides medication management, and our Senior Advisors are ready for your call!
Check Before Taking New Medications
Before trying a new medicine, always ask the pharmacist if it is safe to take with your current medications. Double-checking the medication is a good idea to avoid health issues and keep your organs healthy.
Focused Intake Exam
Completing a Focused Intake Exam (FIE) is helpful for seniors who live alone and struggle to manage their medication. By scheduling a Focused Intake Exam, healthcare professionals can assess personal health and identify possible medication management issues.
If you are struggling with medication management, talk with your healthcare provider. You don’t have to manage your medication alone. Your doctor will help you manage your medication properly and recommend other resources that can assist with medication management.
In conclusion, medication instructions can seem overwhelming for seniors. It is important to follow the instructions correctly, so you don’t risk any health issues. Maintain communication with your healthcare provider because they can provide additional resources and recommend other ways to manage your medications. We have Senior Advisors that can help you find the perfect senior community that’ll make medication management easier than ever!
Share this article on social media!
Medication may be a crucial part of an older person’s life at some point. It might take some time for your senior to get used to the process of medication management for seniors. Some seniors do it on their own, while others gain assistance from family.
Let’s look at some tips for effective medication management for seniors.
Why Medication Management Matters For Seniors
Medication management is crucial for seniors living independently. It becomes critical when older people have chronic conditions that need daily management.
Seniors who live alone tend to face trouble managing medication responsibly because they may not have anyone checking in on them. There’s the risk of overdose and other problems if medications are not taken correctly.
Learn How To Read Medication Labels
Medication management for seniors involves reading labels. Often, medication packaging for seniors contains instructions in small fonts. When seniors have problems reading small print on labels, it is helpful to have a second pair of eyes to do so.
Medication Instructions
Pills can be tiny, and it is easy to miss taking one. Seniors should know the instructions for every medication they take. In fact, they should ask the doctor how many pills to take and when.
Medications need to be taken at specific times every day. The instructions may also include nutritional advice like whether medications need to be swallowed with water or food.
Take medication at the right time for your self-care. For example, if you take nasal spray for allergies, you may need to take it at night.
Viewing Prescription Information
Keep records of the medication you take. When you buy medication at a pharmacy, you should provide it with your local prescription. You can ask to receive a hard copy or print it off yourself.
Review The Caution Statement
All medication labels contain a caution section. It has vital information on whether you can take the drug with other medicines, how it should be taken, and what happens if you overdose. Please review and know the cautions associated with each medication.
Medication Management Tips
Creating a routine is very important for seniors taking medicine regularly. It becomes difficult to track medication intake if you are taking your medications at different times every day.
Track When The Senior Takes Their Medication
The most essential thing to remember is that the medicine should be taken on a regular basis as prescribed. If you are taking multiple medications, it is important to know what time of day the drugs should be taken. Usually, medications will include this information on the label.
Use Notifications For Reminders
It’s common for seniors to forget to take their medicine and end up missing multiple days in a row. One way to avoid this is by setting reminder or alarm notifications on a seniors phone.
Use Pill Organizers To Stay Ahead
Pill organizers are very helpful for seniors taking multiple medications. Most pill dispensers can hold several pills and usually, they come with a compartment to hold drugs for specific times of the day. One may ask their pharmacist to recommend a pill holder.
Journal Side Effects and Medication Interactions
For anyone taking multiple medications, keeping a journal is ideal. It allows you to track how you’re feeling and if your body is responding well to medication.
Keep track of health changes such as weight, side effects, etc. As you age, it’s important to learn more about your body and how it’s reacting to medication.
Additional Help Medication Management For Seniors
It is a good idea to have a family member or a caregiver help with medication management. You could also consider engaging in a senior community that provides medication management, and our Senior Advisors are ready for your call!
Check Before Taking New Medications
Before trying a new medicine, always ask the pharmacist if it is safe to take with your current medications. Double-checking the medication is a good idea to avoid health issues and keep your organs healthy.
Focused Intake Exam
Completing a Focused Intake Exam (FIE) is helpful for seniors who live alone and struggle to manage their medication. By scheduling a Focused Intake Exam, healthcare professionals can assess personal health and identify possible medication management issues.
If you are struggling with medication management, talk with your healthcare provider. You don’t have to manage your medication alone. Your doctor will help you manage your medication properly and recommend other resources that can assist with medication management.
In conclusion, medication instructions can seem overwhelming for seniors. It is important to follow the instructions correctly, so you don’t risk any health issues. Maintain communication with your healthcare provider because they can provide additional resources and recommend other ways to manage your medications. We have Senior Advisors that can help you find the perfect senior community that’ll make medication management easier than ever!
