Keeping up with all the various medications, vitamins, and supplements we have to take on a daily basis can be a daunting task, even in our younger years. As we age, these medications become even more vital to our overall health, and forgetting to take even one thing can have significant consequences.
For seniors, proper medication management goes beyond just remembering to take their various medications and supplements, it also involves following all medication instructions and being conscious of when medications may be running low so that prescriptions can get refilled without a lapse.
Keep reading to learn some helpful medication management tips for you or a loved one.
Have Everything in One Place
One of the most effective ways to make sure seniors stay on top of taking all their medications is to make sure that all medications, vitamins, supplements, and any other related supplies are located in one, easy-to-access place.
When picking a designated spot in your home, it is important to choose a location that not only keeps your medications safe but also a location that you can easily remember. By keeping everything in one spot it cuts down on the chances that you may forget to take something since all your medications and supplements will be together.
Create A List of All Medication Instructions
Seniors often find themselves taking a great number of medications, vitamins, and supplements in order to remain healthy so that they can enjoy living their life. Trying to keep track of all these supplements and the instructions that they all have can be difficult.
Some medications may need to be taken with food, while others may have dangerous, unintended consequences if mixed with something else.
Creating a list of all your medications including names, dosages, and instructions can help prevent any unintended accidents from occurring. Not only that but if you live on your own and have in-home companion care, your caregiver will have something to reference when helping you with your medication needs.
Set Daily Medication Reminders
For seniors, setting up daily medication reminders can be a great way to make sure that they take all their medications and supplements. You can do something as simple as setting a recurring alarm daily as a reminder to take your pills or you can use technology to your advantage and download a smartphone app to help remind you.
Not overly tech savvy? Don’t worry! Services such as Social Savvy Seniors specialize in helping seniors use technology to make their daily life easier to navigate.
Pre Sort All Your Medications For the Day or Week
Another great way for seniors to streamline the process of taking all their medications and making sure they don’t forget any is to pre-sort everything out for the week. Pill organizers are an effective and easy way to make sure you are taking everything you need on a daily basis.
Plan Ahead For Medication Refills
For some seniors, missing a certain medication even for just 1 day can have severe consequences. That’s why it is crucial to have a plan in place for medication refills well in advance of the refill date.
Keeping track of refill dates on a calendar can be an easy way to make sure you don’t forget to get your prescriptions refilled. If you are someone that struggles getting around on your own, arrange for a family member or friend to take you to the pharmacy. Or, you can also utilize transportation services from a home healthcare provider.
Independence Home Health Can Help With Your Medication Management Needs
As we age, medication management becomes an
even more crucial part of our daily lives. At Independence Home Health, we understand just how important proper medication management is for seniors.
If you or a loved one could benefit from in-home healthcare, including help with medication management, contact us today.
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