Tips for Managing Medications for Older Adults

Despite being told he had only months to live, my Dad was bombarded with hospital appointments, treatment and advice regarding the long-term health risks of his recently acquired diabetes.  This only stopped once his oncologist intervened, tearing up recent correspondence and telling the diabetes nurse to get lost!  Given Dad was end of life, there was no longer any need to be concerned about long-term health issues.  My Dad’s experience illustrates the need to question and keep under review our loved one’s healthcare especially medication.   

Anyone taking multiple prescription medications may get in a muddle from time-to-time.  As we grow older, this can become a serious risk.  At Right at Home, we support our clients with their medication.  We are strictly regulated by the Care Quality Commission.  We prompt or administer medication, and liaise with the GPs and pharmacies as needed to review medication and ensure the client does not run out.  We also key an eye on any side effects.    

Here are some tips to consider if you are a family caregiver for an aging loved one:

Make a list and check it twice Make a list of all prescriptions and products they take, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies. The list should also include things such as medical patches, inhalers, injections, creams, and ointments.

Be organized  Once you’ve made a list, be sure it includes each item’s recommended dosage and frequency of use and what the medicine is intended to treat. Put the list in an easy-to-remember place and have it available for all health care professional interactions via phone or text and for all in-person visits.

Advocate with health care professionals share the list with the GP, pharmacist, and other health care professionals and asking detailed questions about each item such as: What is it for? Is it safe to take it with other medications and OTC products?  What side effects might the senior experience?  What dangers of adverse interactions are there if it is taken with other drugs and products?  Is the drug addictive?

It is a good idea to write down the answers in order to create a handy record that can be referred to as needed.  Not all physicians include caregivers in decisions and instructions.  We often encounter next of kin who have no idea why their loved-one is taking certain medication.  Sometimes, it’s unclear which medications are absolutes, and which are optional. This is why the list of medications and the answers to the questions can become a valuable resource for the patient, caregiver, and any health care professionals involved in the chain of care.

Don’t assume or guess you know something; ask a doctor or pharmacist about it.  If new or serious symptoms appear, check with a health care provider to see if the symptoms might be drug-related.  Store all medications in a safe, easy-to-reach place; however, if small children are in the home, make sure the medications are out of their reach.

If you are worried about your loved one’s medication or feel overwhelmed, consider getting some in-home care support.  Home care which helps loved ones remain safe and comfortable at home for as long as possible, which is where most of us hope to spend our later life.