Managing Medication for Seniors

Whether your elderly loved one takes over the counter medications, prescription drugs, or a combination of both, you want them to be safe. It’s not uncommon for elderly adults to have more than one medication to worry about and keeping their medication schedule organized can be challenging. Here are some tips on how you can manage.

Keep a List Of All Medications

Having a list of medications in one place can help avoid confusion. This is especially helpful in an emergency situation should you need to provide medication information to a doctor, paramedic or hospital immediately. Should medications change, be sure to update your list as soon as possible. 

Understand Drug Interactions

If your elderly loved one is on medication, it’s important to ask their doctor any possible interactions with other medications they are taking. You can also check for drug interactions online by simply entering the name of a drug, over the counter medication or herbal supplement. 

Keep Medications Organized

A pill organizer can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring your elderly loved in is taking their medications properly. Having a pill organizer can also make it a convenient way to keep pills organized for travel too. Setting reminders should they have to take certain pills more than once per day is also very helpful. 

Throw Away Expired Medication

To ensure you don’t inadvertently give your elderly loved one old medication, be sure to go through their medicine cabinet every few months to ensure that all old prescriptions and expired over the counter drugs are disposed of. 

If you care for an elderly loved one, it’s important to consult their doctor with any questions or concerns regarding medication. The Arbors Assisted Living is a community that supports and promotes the safety of elderly seniors. To learn more about how we can help you and your elderly loved one, contact us today!