Many older adults keep their daily medications in an easy-to-reach spot because it fits their routine. However, that same spot can pose a risk when children visit. Medication safety for seniors starts with checking where medications are stored before a family visit. It helps keep children safe without disrupting your loved one’s routine.

Senior Helper Norman shares simple ways to store medications safely when children are visiting.

Look at the House the Way a Child Would

Children notice things adults stop seeing. Walk through the home and note everywhere medicine sits. Medication safety for seniors starts with checking common storage spots, including:

• Kitchen counters and bedside tables.
• The bathroom sink and cabinet.
• Purses, bags, and coat pockets.
• Pill organizers left out on a table or shelf.

Pill organizers deserve a closer look. They can be easy for small hands to open, and they hold several days of pills in one place.

Agree on a Storage Plan With Your Parent

The older individual is the one who lives with any change, so make the plan together. A locked cabinet or lockable box that children can’t reach is the safest option.

Choose a spot the elderly can reach without climbing or using a step stool. Keep daily medications in a small, lockable box there while visitors are in the home.

The CDC's medication safety page explains how to prevent medication-related harm. The Up and Away campaign offers practical tips for keeping medicines out of children’s sight and reach. 

Review both resources before a family visit. They can help you store medications safely and reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.

Check that caps are child-resistant and fully closed. If older adults use easy-open caps because of arthritis or limited hand strength, take extra precautions. Lock those medication bottles away whenever children are present.

Keep the Routine From Slipping: Medication Safety for Seniors

Changing where medications are stored can lead to missed or doubled doses. Leave a visible note showing where the lockbox is kept, or set a phone alarm for each dose.

If your loved one has memory changes, ask their doctor or pharmacist for guidance. They can recommend safe storage options that won't disrupt the medication routine.

Visiting family members may bring their medications, too. Ask them to keep their medicines in a closed bag and store them somewhere children cannot reach.

Plan for an Accident

Keep the Poison Control number somewhere visible and saved in your loved one’s phone. If a child swallows something and has trouble breathing or won’t wake up, call 911 right away.

In other cases, contact Poison Control even if the child seems fine. Keep the medication container with you during the call.

It also helps to clear out expired prescriptions. Many pharmacies accept unused medicines for disposal, so call ahead and ask.

A Second Set of Eyes Before Company Comes

Visitors can change a household’s routine for a few days, making medication safety for seniors especially important. Senior Helpers Norman serves families in Norman, Purcell, Blanchard, Chickasha, and Washington.

Caregivers can help organize the home before visitors arrive, provide medication reminders, and watch for safety concerns between your visits. While they don't administer medications, they can help your loved one follow their medication schedule. Contact us to talk about support before your next family visit.