Forgetting to take a dose of medication is something most of us can relate to, but for seniors this can have serious repercussions. Managing multiple medications can be confusing for seniors, with some needing to be taken with food, some on an empty stomach or in a specific order. If seniors are not able to manage their medications properly, this can lead to serious health risks as a result of skipped or double doses. Oftentimes, the responsibility of ensuring proper and daily use of medications may fall on family members or caregivers to help oversee.
This article explains reasons why seniors may struggle with taking medications, how to track medications safely, and resources for seniors and caregivers to help improve medication adherence.
There are multiple reasons that can play a role in forgetting to take medication or having a harder time managing multiple prescriptions as we get older. A common reason for not taking medications as prescribed, is that many seniors may have difficulty reading or understanding the directions on the label either due to too small of print or unclear instructions.
As we age, our mental acuity also tends to decline, which can make seniors more prone to forgetfulness. Seniors can find it confusing to try to keep track of medications for many reasons including because many pills can look similar to another, medication names can be difficult to remember, or even not keeping medication in a high traffic area to make it easier to remember to take. . This can be especially difficult for those with dementia or other memory issues. Additionally, those with moderate to advanced dementia may be resistant to taking their medications due to frustration or paranoia. Confusion or brain fog can also be a side effect of prescriptions or due to medications intermixing.
Change is part of the aging process, and the human brain undergoes many evolutions throughout a lifetime. As people get older, parts of the brain begin to shrink which can lead to functions like memory, spatial awareness and processing speed to decline. Although brain mass as a whole shrinks as part of the aging process, the hippocampus and frontal lobe shrink more than other areas. These areas of the brain are responsible for cognitive function and play an important role in learning and memory. Neurotransmitters are also affected by the aging process and the difference in chemical production that comes with this, causing a decline in cognitive function. Neurons also begin to die at the same time that cells in the brain start to produce a compound known as amyloid-beta. Amyloid-beta can be found in the brain of anyone who is aging, but plaques of amyloid-beta may be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Changes in the brain that naturally occur as part of the aging process can cause trouble with memory recollection, decline in attention span and make it more difficult to multitask.
Medication management does not need to be stressful or time consuming. Proper medication adherence is key to allowing prescriptions to work their best and deliver benefits. These tips and strategies below make medication adherence simpler and easier to stick to.
One habit to adopt is to store all medications and supplements or vitamins in one place. By keeping all medications in one location it makes it easier to keep track of all prescriptions and supplements, as well as notice if a medication expires or is running low. Storing all medications together also allows you to take inventory and note what each prescription is for, or if you are taking multiple medications to treat the same condition.
Set reminders to help you remember when to take each dose of medication and log each one for easy tracking. Depending on how tech-savvy you are you can set reminders by writing them on paper or sticky notes and leaving them in a location you are sure to see, or you can use your phone to set alarms or even make use of apps designed to help manage medication. There are also reminder tops which you can request from your pharmacy that assist people in taking their prescription at the correct time. Once the top is set, it will ring to alert that it is time for the scheduled dose. Apps like the Oscar Senior app are designed with seniors in mind and send notifications to the senior’s phone to let them know when it is time to take each dose of medication. The user can even upload a picture of the corresponding pill to make instructions clearer.
Incorporating a daily routine helps avoid forgetfulness and makes proper medication adherence easier. To get started, create a list of all medications, the times they need to be taken at, dosage of each and whether or not they need to be taken with food. This will guide you in knowing where to place medications to help you best remember to take them and so they better accompany the flow of your daily routine. For example, if a pill needs to be taken first thing in the morning, placing it in the bathroom to take after brushing your teeth or on the nightstand are good places. If a medication needs to be taken with food, then storing it in the kitchen may be a better option. Regardless of where you store the prescription, make sure it is in clear view to avoid forgetfulness.
Reach out to family and friends for help in reminding you or the person in your care on when to take medicines. If there is a neighbor who is closeby and willing to help, this is also a great option, especially if your loved one needs additional assistance or cannot be reached by phone. Calling them over the phone when it is time for their medication is a quick and effective way to remind them to take their prescription and ensure they have taken it properly.
There are a variety of methods and technology to utilize for medication management and reminders no matter how tech-savvy you are. If you are more comfortable using more analog methods of management, having a written calendar or planner to track prescriptions may be a great choice and there are even medication log books available for purchase or free templates online that can be printed out at home. Pill boxes are a longstanding tool for medication organization with good reason, these simple to use cases allow you to plan out your prescription schedule for the week ahead and some options allow you to sort medications by time of day as well. Automated pill dispensers are another great option and not only measure out doses for seniors, but are also capable of issuing multiple alarms as reminders. This is also an excellent choice for people who have low vision and may struggle to read medication labels, or those with cognitive issues and can make correct dosing safer for both. No one wants to be in the situation of accidentally running out of your medication. Help avoid this by scheduling a reminder to reorder their prescription prior to their last dose, or set up an automatic renewal with the pharmacy if available.
It is vital that seniors have open and honest communication with their healthcare provider in regards to their medication regimen, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. Open communication with your healthcare provider helps to ensure that you are receiving the correct dosage, avoid negative interactions between drugs and recognize any potential side effects. Certain medications and supplements can interact with each other, which can lead to adverse effects or reduced effectiveness of medications. Informing your healthcare provider of all the medications and supplements you are taking can help prevent harmful interactions.
Some medications and supplements can cause adverse side effects that may be similar to symptoms of other medical conditions. By sharing information about what you are taking with your healthcare provider, they can help identify potential side effects early on. Changes in health or taking multiple or new medications can affect the efficacy of your prescription. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust the dosage of one or more of your medications to ensure that they work effectively and safely. You may also inadvertently be taking two medications or supplements that contain the same active ingredient, which can be dangerous. By sharing information about what you are taking with your healthcare provider, they can help you avoid duplicating medications or supplements.
Healthcare appointments can be stressful and this can make it difficult to make sure you are asking all the right questions, or you may be unsure where to start. The questions below are a guide of what information to ask your healthcare provider about. In order to make sure you are taking the right medication and using it correctly, ask the following questions:
Asking these questions can help seniors better understand their medication, how to take it properly, and what to expect in terms of side effects or interactions with other medications. It's important to communicate openly with healthcare providers to ensure that seniors receive the best possible care and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Administering medication to seniors can be a complex task that requires careful attention to detail. Here are some tips for senior caregivers when administering medication:
Maintain an updated list of all medications the senior is taking, including the name, dosage, and frequency of each medication. This will help avoid confusion and prevent accidental overdosing or missed doses.Follow dosage and medication instructionsEnsure that you are following the prescribed dosage instructions and do not deviate from the prescribed dosage without consulting the healthcare provider. Always use the correct measuring device to administer liquid medication, and ensure that medications are taken with food or water, as directed.
Keep a close eye on the senior for any side effects that may arise from the medication, such as dizziness, nausea, or fatigue. Notify the healthcare provider of any changes in the senior's condition or behavior.
Ensure that all medications are stored safely, out of reach of children and pets, and in a location that is easily accessible for the senior. Store medications in their original containers with the appropriate labels.
Being a caregiver and tasked with ensuring the safety of your loved one can be a lot to manage. Lean on family, friends, and neighbors to help you ensure medication is being taken correctly or assist you if you are caring for someone with cognitive health issues.
Managing medications and taking them on time can be difficult for anyone. If you find yourself forgetting to take your prescription or are a caregiver for a senior who needs assistance, try incorporating these tips and making them a part of daily routine. Not only can improper adherence of medication impact how well they work, but it can also be potentially dangerous. Make a list of all medications and supplements along with dosage of each and any instructions to ensure they are taken in the right order and there are no unnecessary duplicates. There are a variety of resources available to give reminders for when it is time to take medication, choose the one you or your loved ones are most comfortable with so that it is more likely to be utilized. Most importantly, be honest with healthcare providers and your loved ones with any concerns or difficulties you are having and do not hesitate to ask for help managing your medication.
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