Seniors often face challenges managing their medications. Family members need to understand the signs that seniors may need assistance and how to best provide that help. At Senior Helpers of Sheboygan, we understand that medication management represents an essential part of seniors' overall health and well-being.
In this blog post, we'll share how to know if seniors need assistance with medication management, the risks of medication mismanagement, the benefits of assistance, as well as how to provide that help.
Signs That Your Senior Relatives May Need Assistance With Medication Management
The following are signs that your seniors may need assistance with medication management:
- Drowsiness - Seniors who are drowsy may be taking too much medication or taking medication at the wrong time of day.
- Confusion - If your relative is confused, this could also mean they're taking the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or missing their medications.
- Increase in pain or symptoms - If your relative starts experiencing an increase in pain or other symptoms, they may be taking their medications incorrectly or skipping them altogether.
Common Causes for Medication Mismanagement
Medication mismanagement may also include:
- Forgetting to take medication
- Taking too much or too little medication
- Taking the medication at the wrong time
- Taking the medication with the wrong foods or drinks
- Incorrect dosage prescribed
Benefits of Assistance with Medication Management
Assistance with medication management can provide many benefits to seniors, including:
- Improved health - Properly managing medications can ensure that seniors get the most benefit from them.
- Reduced risk of drug interactions - Knowing the proper times to take medications as well as understanding which medications to take together will reduce the risk of drug interactions.
- Increased quality of life - Seniors who take their medications correctly also typically feel better and enjoy a much better quality of life.
How to Provide Assistance With Medication Management
If you are assisting with medication management, there are several things you can do to help:
- Establish a routine. Create a routine for taking medications and remind seniors of this routine every day.
- Use pill boxes or other reminders. Use pill boxes as well as other reminders, such as alarms, to help your relative remember to take their medications on time.
- Monitor for side effects. Monitor for any side effects arising from taking medications and seek medical advice if you notice any severe side effects.
- Talk to your senior relative's doctor. Ask your relative's doctor for instructions on how to manage medications properly, as well as other advice related to medications.
- Reach out to resources for guidance. You can also reach out to local resources such as Wisconsin State organizations for advice on medication management.
We Want to Help
Medication management can be essential for seniors to live healthy lives. It also helps to reduce the risk of drug interactions and improve the overall quality of life. We invite seniors in Sheboygan, Wisconsin Plymouth, Cedar Grove, Port Washington, Saukville, Kewaskum, Chilton, Kiel, New Holstein, and Mount Calvary who need assistance with medication management to contact us today.
(Please note: Senior Helpers Sheboygan does not provide medical advice and suggests you consult a doctor.)