Our bodies inevitably go through changes as we age, and eventually, there may come a time when we need to treat a health issue with prescription medication. As a caregiver, it can be particularly challenging when your senior has multiple medical problems that require many different medications. There are numerous things to track, including when to take medication, how much, medication interactions, and which need to be taken with food or liquid. Not only that, but you also must remember to refill and pick up the prescriptions at your pharmacy. Altogether, managing senior prescriptions can be a whole job itself. Consider the following medication management tips for caregivers:
1. Set Reminders
Medication must be taken regularly to prevent complications and ensure healthy bodily functions. That’s why you must remember when to take them as well as when to refill the prescriptions at the pharmacy. Set a recurring alarm on your phone each day, keep a calendar, or write yourself notes to help get yourself in a routine.
2. Organize Pills
Presort your medications by putting them into a specific container and placing the container somewhere you will see it every day. This ensures that all prescriptions are in one place and lessens the possibility of you forgetting them. You can organize pills by the day of the week, the time they need to be taken, what medications need to be taken together, etc.
3. Watch Out for Side Effects
Pay close attention to your loved one’s behavior when starting to take a new medication or alter the normal medication regimen. If your senior experiences loss of sleep, dizziness, unexplained weakness, pain, nausea, or any other symptoms, it’s best to contact their doctor and explain the issue.
4. Consult with Your Senior’s Doctor Regularly
Your senior’s doctor is the one who knows what prescriptions are best for your loved one’s health. It’s essential to consult with them frequently to ensure that your senior is taking the proper medications and monitoring their specific conditions. The doctor will let you know if a new medication needs to be introduced or if one needs to be removed.
Is medication management becoming too much for you to handle as a caregiver? When your loved one lives in a senior living community, their trained and compassionate caregivers can manage your senior’s prescriptions. Evergreen Place Assisted Living offers the best in senior health care, providing 24-hour wellness support in a comfortable and safe environment. Call us today at 217-530-4300 or contact us online for more information. We also invite you to take a look around our beautiful community via our photo gallery!
