There are over 10,000 prescription medications available in the United States, and nearly one-third of adults take five or more of these medications every day. If you are a caregiver for an aging loved one, the complexity of managing the prescriptions, interactions and dosages can be intimidating. In fact, studies show that 55% of prescription drugs are not taken correctly for a number of reasons, and the consequences can be dangerous.
Keep dangerous medication mistakes to a minimum and receive the maximum benefits of the medication by following these tips to help manage medications more effectively.
Be in the Know Right from the Start. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist questions about your prescription. Be sure to know the following:
- The name of the drug
- What the drug is prescribed for
- How, when and how long to take the drug
- Correct dosage
- Possible side effects and drug interactions
Also, make sure to have your loved one's doctor periodically conduct a medication review to assess which drugs are still needed and determine which ones could be eliminated.
Keep a Master List of Meds. Having a complete list of all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements that your loved one takes can be a big help at the doctor's office. This list should contain all of the information from the list above, as well as:
- The color and shape of the drug (or a photo of the drug if possible)
- The prescribing physician's name and contact information
- Date the medication was started, and whether or not it should be refilled and taken ongoing
- Date the list was last updated
The home care experts at Independence-4-Seniors can help seniors manage prescriptions, set up medication reminders, and communicate with physicians and pharmacists to ensure medications are being taken properly. Contact Independence-4-Seniors today at 630-323-4665 to learn more about proper medication management.