Medication Management among seniors is one of the challenges that will be faced by an individual in their senior years. As people age and diagnosed with a disease, taking different medications increases.
Studies have shown that the more medications people take, the more they take medications they don’t need. It is important to be aware of the medications being prescribed to you by your doctors and to be proactive in maintaining and managing your medications.
As elderly have more chronic conditions, the more medications will be prescribed by their physicians. It is therefore important to know each drug, its’ effect and side effects, drug interactions aside from its benefits.
At Right Accord, we developed a Health Care Passport for our seniors to assist with medication management at home. The friendly packet notebook is designed to encourage our seniors in Sarasota to become proactive with medication management.
The Right Accord Healthcare Passport contains information relating to medication management. In the medication record, it includes:
- Name of Medication
- Dosage and preparation
- What is intended for
- Name of doctor who prescribed the medication and when
- How and when to take the medication
- Color and shape
- Possible side effects and warnings
We recommend that all medications including over the counter pills, herbal preparations, vitamins, etc. are listed on the passport.
The Right Accord Healthcare Passport is a great tool to take to your doctor’s appointment to show your physician the medications you are currently taking. Review with your physician the list and ask questions regarding the medications you have on the list.
Questions we encourage to ask your doctor on your next visit:
- Why do I take this medication? Is it for short term or long term use?
- How do I take the medications, how often, with or without food, etc?
- What are the side effects and what should I do if it occurs?
- Can I substitute for an alternative or generic?
- Does it duplicate with any of the medications I am taking?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- If I cut the pill in half, can it be as effective?
- Does it interact with other prescriptions that I have?
- How important are these prescription given my finances and overall health?
- Does my health or age make this drug unsafe for me?
Keeping and storage of your medication:
- Keeping your medicine in plain sight, in a cool, dry place like a kitchen countertop or desktop
- Do not place your medications in the refrigerator unless instructed by your pharmacist or indicated in the bottle
- Do not store your medicine in the bathroom where it can get damaged due to steam from shower or moisture.
- Set timers, reminders or alarms. You may set cell phones for alarm when traveling.
- When traveling or flying, take your medicines with you. Do not packed them with your checked in luggage.
- Avoid making last minute re-fills.
If you or your loved one is having difficulty managing medications at home or place of residence, Right Accord Private Duty-Home Health Care provides assistance with medications by certified caregivers trained by assisting elderly who prefers to stay at home instead with medication management. Free in-home care consultation for seniors in Sarasota and Manatee Counties who are looking for medication assistance or help at home with medication.
Tags: bradenton, caregivers, elderly, help at home, home care, home instead, medication management, sarasota, seniors
