Medication Management for Seniors Can Be Made Easier
Seniors are on more medication than any other age group, according to bemedwise.com, and all medication requires care and consideration. Managing medication for seniors can be difficult because there are many pills and schedules which must be followed to ensure appropriate dosage.
Home Care in Chadds Ford PA: Medication Management for Seniors
Below are some tips to manage medication successfully for elderly care.
Managing multiple medications…
-Pill boxes are commonly used by seniors since they help organize dosages. Caregivers can help remind their elders to take their medication with sticky notes, regular calls or setting alarms. Carefully written instructions can also clearly identify what medication is required when.
Additionally, discuss medication and prescriptions with your senior’s doctor to make sure the doctor is aware of everything the senior is taking. This can help prevent harmful side effects and contraindications. This includes over-the-counter medication like allergy medication or painkillers.
Ask for new medication
Medicine is a constantly evolving field, and dosage requirements and pills change regularly. Ask your senior’s doctor if there is a newer medication that may reduce dosage or be better tolerated.
Bodies change with age
Organs work less efficiently as the elderly age, so dosage requirements and medication tolerance may be different for adults and seniors. Several medications like some antihistamines are not recommended at all for people over the age of 65. Carefully read the labels of all over-the-counter medication and discuss any changes in routine intake with a doctor.
Medication can also affect elderly people differently because they may either be more sensitive to medication and its side effects or have age-related changes to the body, like increased fat concentration and reduced body fluids that can affect how a medication is absorbed. Keeping a log of new medication and the effect it has on your senior can help clarify what is potentially causing changes in mood, physical feeling or behavior.
Managing chronic conditions
Conditions like diabetes and heart trouble require regular doctor’s visits and medication to manage. Elderly care entails visiting doctors at the set intervals to review medication effects and make sure changes to dosage or medication type are not needed. Taking too much or too little medication can result in ineffective treatment.
When in doubt, call the doctor
If your senior is memory impaired, they may require a care assistant to remind them to take their medication on time and in the correct dosage. If you have noticed that the elder in your care has had more difficulty managing a changed medication regime, talk to the doctor about how to manage their medication intake and see if there are options that work better for you both.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Chadds Ford, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care.
Call today: (484) 206-4544
Sources:
Pharmacist.com
Bemedwise.org
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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