How many medications does your patient take during the day? Two? Three? More than four? As caregivers, we tend to be very cautious about this issue. However, there are resources that can help us take that burden off our shoulders.
The risk is not only in the number of different medications, but also in the doses, a vital issue for the health of our patient .
It's clear that organization can make a difference. The risk is very high, but fortunately, it's 100% preventable with these recommendations.
What can happen if you don't manage your medications properly
According to the Association of Retired Persons (AARP), more than 80% of older adults take at least two medications per day , while more than 50% take at least four.
That is, the doctor has already done his part by diagnosing and prescribing the most appropriate medication for our patient. Now, it's our job as caregivers to ensure each and every one of them is taken correctly , in a timely manner.
Did you know that nearly 60% of older adults take the wrong doses of their medication, which could lead to approximately 140,000 deaths per year?
This way you can better organize your patient's medications.
All of the above represents pills and more pills everywhere, which require organization for correct administration, instructions and additional details .
You don't have to memorize the names of all your medications, the dosing schedules, and all the details. Fortunately, these tips will be your allies, and they'll take one less responsibility from your daily routine as caregivers. Consider the following:
Have all the information possible
Did you know that, according to the U.S. Institute of Medicine, some 90 million older adults misinterpret labels or have trouble following medication instructions? That's why your work is so important.
Informing us about medication names, instructions, and prescriptions will be essential. Clarify your questions with the specialist as often as necessary. To the extent possible, involve your adult in all procedures to ensure they are involved in their own health.
Your smartphone can be a great help . Rely on it for calendars, reminders, an agenda, and even alarms that give you better control.
How dependent is your senior? We'll tell you about the degrees of dependency here.
Organize everything
On a wall in your home, post a chart showing your medications , what each one is for, and how often they should be taken. If your doctor recommended a second medication, it's also a good idea to have it visible in case one is needed.
If possible, research the phone numbers or apps of nearby pharmacies where you can get your medications , so it's easier to know their availability. All this information can also be included in the chart. Use colors and markers to make it easier.
Be aware of when to purchase more medication
There will be pills your patient requires more frequently than others. It will be important to keep track of this so you know when it's time to refill a particular medication and whether that requires scheduling another appointment or just going to the pharmacy.
Always check the expiration date. Fortunately, more and more places offer home delivery, which can help you save time.
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Lean on a pillbox
Why go through the hassle of organizing boxes and prescriptions when everything can be stored in one place ? Pillboxes are a convenient and practical option for caregivers who want to maintain control over medications while still focusing their attention on the patient.
One option is the TheraPill Weekly Pill Box , which offers the advantage of being organized for an entire week , divided into four doses per day and protected by an airtight seal. Made of nontoxic material, each pill box is removable and can be taken anywhere.
Another advantage is that it uses pictures instead of letters . This makes it much easier to know which medications are for morning, which are for daytime, and which are for nighttime. Depending on the size of the pill, it holds between 6 and 11 pills.
And because it's color-coded (one per day) , this allows both caregiver and patient to better organize their pills. If they're going out and don't want to carry the entire pillbox, it can be disassembled by day and is easy to open and close, while also keeping out moisture. Interested in learning more about TheraPill? Click here.
Avoid accidents due to poor management
During a full day of activities, we caregivers face a wide range of challenges , sometimes ranging from lifting, bathing, and feeding our patient to getting them to bed and checking on them for anything they need.
Therefore , any help, no matter how small, is always welcome . And if there are much more practical options for organizing a patient's medications than the ones we're using, they're always welcome.
Once that responsibility is met, your energy can be directed toward other tasks for which your adult needs you, and thus become the best ally for their well-being every day.
