There are multiple issues that can arise when you are dealing with seniors and medication. If you’re a caregiver for an elderly person, it’s important that you’re mindful of frequent issues that can happen.
9 Tips on Giving Medicine to Seniors with Dementia
As seniors age, cognitive issues can become a problem, and this can have an effect on their ability to take their medicine properly. If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, they need someone who can monitor and issue their medicine on a timely basis.
Here are a nine tips on seniors and medication management.
1. Use Pillboxes – Buy a one-week pillbox and fill it on a weekly basis. It’s better when you put the dose for each day, so you can see when medicine was taken. Keep this out of the reach of the person you are caring for.
2. Print out Medication List – Get a print out from their physician that lists all the medications that should be taken by them.
Use the print out to mark how much of the drug should be taken on a daily basis.
3. Mark the Times Medication Must be Taken – Note if the drug should be taken in the am or pm or both, and if it should be taken with or without food.
4. Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions – Never be afraid to ask your pharmacist or doctor questions regarding any information. It would also be a good idea to do some research on the medication you are giving. Some medicine has side effects that your loved one might be experiencing. Relay any negative effects to their physician.
5. Ask for Generic Medicine – If you are on a budget, you should ask if the medicine is available under a generic name. Many retail stores, such as Wal-Mart and Target carry these medicines at very low prices.
6. Always be Understanding – Never get upset with them if they ask why they cannot take their own medicine, or if they sometimes refuse to take their medicine. Let them know the importance of always taking the medicine on time and remain gentle with them.
7. Do Not Allow Seniors to Take Drugs on Their Own – If your loved one is suffering from any kind of dementia, you cannot rely on them to take their own medicine. You or another caregiver needs to monitor all use of medicine.
8. Save All Receipts – This is a good habit, because you can keep a record of how much medicine was taken, and you can also use these receipts for tax purposes.
9. Practice Good Hygiene – Always wash your hands before handling medication. The last thing you want to do is pass on any disease to someone who’s health is already fragile. If you have a cold or flu, use surgical masks to stop spreading germs.
Seniors and Medication – Conclusion
Many elderly people struggle to take their medication. They can forget to take it all together, or they might not take the proper dosage. Some seniors overdose each year, and this can usually be prevented by proper monitoring and care.