The longer you live, the higher the chances become that you’ll need medication to maintain your health. And with more medications comes an increased opportunity for adverse interactions, missed doses, and other issues that can have negative and sometimes serious consequences.
That’s where smart medication management comes in. If you’re asking yourself, “What is medication management?” Don’t worry. It’s simply a term used to describe how you, your family members, and other caregivers can proactively ensure that all medications are taken on time, in the right doses, and that no medication is interfering with or interacting with another in an unexpected and dangerous way.
Managing medications for seniors is a bit of a team sport.
Maybe you’re a senior not quite ready for assisted living or someone just trying to do what’s best for your parent or loved one. Or maybe you’re a family friend or neighbor who lends a hand when you can. No matter your role, it’s an important one, because about 350,000 people are hospitalized each year because of adverse drug events, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
10 medication management tips:
- Always review medications with a doctor. This will ensure everyone involved in your medication management understands each medication, its proper dose and why it’s important
- Minimize the number of doctors and pharmacists used. It’s easier to avoid confusion and potential drug interactions if you limit the number of doctors involved in care and send all medications to the same pharmacy.
- Write down or get a printout of the names and dosages of all medications. Don’t rely on memory when it comes to managing medications. And don’t just include prescriptions. Any over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements should be included and discussed with a doctor as well to avoid drug interactions.
- Understand potential side effects and how to recognize them. Serious negative side effects are rare, but they do happen. Ask the doctor, talk to the pharmacist, and make sure you’re vigilant about looking for signs of a reaction.
- Ask if a medication and its dosage are age-appropriate. The American Geriatric Society offers a list of medications older adults should avoid or use with caution. And even if a medication is safe for seniors, the dosage may need to be adjusted because our bodies process drugs differently with age.
- Know the dangers of self-prescribing. It can be tempting to take an extra dose if it seems like it isn’t working or to add in an over-the-counter drug to try and get quicker relief, but self-medicating increases the risk of overmedication and drug interactions.
- Keep medications organized. Use a medication organizer or pill box to keep medications organized and on schedule.
- Monitor for medication compliance. Medications are only effective if taken consistently and as directed by a doctor. This is why proper medication management is so important.
- Throw away outdated medicines. Medicines degrade over time and with exposure to light and heat. And as prescriptions change, make sure you dispose of medications no longer needed.
- Use technology to your advantage. Shared cloud-based spreadsheets, medication management apps,and even electronic pill organizers can help seniors and their caregivers ensure all medications are given at the right dose and time.
When it comes to medication management for seniors, a little extra assistance can make a big impact.
At this point, we hope you have a deeper understanding of medication management and why it’s important, especially for seniors. If you’d like to know more about how the assisted living neighborhoods at Friendship Village’s Chesterfield and Sunset Hills communities can help with activities of daily living, including medication management, let us know. We’re here to help you and your loved ones focus on living your best lives.