If you have an elderly parent who has been told they need to take a bunch of different medications every day due to their health conditions, it can be pretty overwhelming for them and you. You worry about things like them missing doses or drug interactions. How do you, or a caregiver make sure they stay safe and healthy? How should you handle your parent’s meds?
Every person’s medication needs are different. The risk for medication-related problems increases with each medication that is added. If your parent takes four or more medications, they have a higher risk for medication-related problems, especially falls.
In addition, certain medications require special monitoring. Medications used to control pain, anxiety, mood, and sleep pose the largest risk for patients as they age. Medications for blood pressure and diabetes also can be problematic if they are not monitored closely and adjusted as health conditions change.
The most common medication-related problems in older adults include taking too high or too low of a dose, taking unnecessary medications, not taking medication as directed or at all, taking an ineffective medication, or adverse drug reactions such as confusion, bleeding and oversedation.
Some older people struggle with remembering to take their medications or organizing them effectively. Adult children like yourself, or a trusted caregiver, can help by taking steps to organize, monitor and update their medication lists. There are also many useful medication reminder apps available for download. These all can help prevent potential health complications, while providing peace of mind for both you and your parent.
“As a caregiver, it’s important that you take time for self-care and recharging so that you can continue to give. Pay attention to how you feel emotionally and physically. If you need a break or would like assistance, ask family members or other loved ones for help. There are many caregiving resources in the community that can help your parent with needed services or additional support. The best measure of caregiver success is if you did your best with what you had available at that moment. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone.” — Catherine Lea, Registered Pharmacist, Medication Therapy Management, Mayo Clinic Health System
Here are some useful tips:
- Gather information about the medications your parent uses.
Get your parent’s up-to-date medication lists from their healthcare team. Make sure that this list matches the prescription containers in their home. Then, with your parent, talk through each medication so both of you fully understand what it is taken for, how often, and at what dose. - Contact the pharmacy about available medication management services.
Many pharmacies offer individual dose, or compliance packaging, options. This is a low-cost way to help patients better manage daily medications and it offers a way for family members to double-check on doses that may have been missed. If your pharmacy doesn’t offer this service, use a medication organizer (a plastic compartment box) that stores scheduled doses of medications and makes it easier to keep on top of which medication to take and when. When an organizer box is used with a medication reminder app, this system is very effective. - Contact the pharmacy about medication synchronization. Medication synchronization allows prescriptions to be refilled every 30 or 90 days, instead of refill cycles scattered throughout the month. This may help simplify and organize medications.
- Request access to your parent’s medical records. If something goes wrong and your parent needs extra help, having digital access to their medical records can help you get in touch with their primary care clinician or pharmacist to assist.
- Schedule a visit with a pharmacist. A comprehensive medication review can be scheduled through your parent’s primary care clinician’s office. You can ask for a referral during a visit or call the scheduling line and ask for a referral. During the visit, a clinical pharmacist will review your parent’s medication lists to ensure all the medications are prescribed correctly.
- Talk with a pharmacist before adding vitamins and supplements. Even though these products can be purchased over the counter without a prescription, there are still important interaction concerns with some medications. Talk with a healthcare professional or pharmacist before adding vitamins, herbal remedies, or supplements to your parent’s medication regimen.
Source: Adapted from an article by Abby Ashbacher; https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org /discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-managing-medication-for-loved-ones/
