Article
- 10
- min
Medication Management for Elders
Family Caregiver
There are several steps and tips that you can keep in mind to lower your chances of overmedication and negative reactions to medicines. This article provides a few tips and benefits of medication management. Always ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medications.
Image credit: Getty Images
Medication Management includes monitoring, reconciling medications, and ensuring elders get their desired outcomes. It is a strategy for engaging with patients and caregivers to create a complete and accurate medication list using the brown bag method. Managing medications is a major part of providing care to older adults.
Each year about 350000 people are hospitalized because of adverse drug effects according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Sometimes elders take multiple medications, supplements, and multiple vitamins for different symptoms and health conditions which increases the risk of medication mix-ups. In certain cases, it is dangerous to elders by taking the wrong medicines. It may increase the risk of medication mismanagement like drug interactions, multiple health conditions, and discontinuation of treatment.
Here are the benefits of effective medication management:
Source:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000952.htm
https://meridianpsychiatricpartners.com/medication-management-consider/#:~:text=Medication%20management%20is%20a%20level,by%20a%20qualified%20physician%2Fprescribe
Each year about 350000 people are hospitalized because of adverse drug effects according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Sometimes elders take multiple medications, supplements, and multiple vitamins for different symptoms and health conditions which increases the risk of medication mix-ups. In certain cases, it is dangerous to elders by taking the wrong medicines. It may increase the risk of medication mismanagement like drug interactions, multiple health conditions, and discontinuation of treatment.
Here are the benefits of effective medication management:
- Better outcomes for older adults
- Less stress for the patients and their families; everyone can be comfortable knowing medications are being distributed and taken correctly
- Less money spent on related healthcare costs such as emergency room visits and hospital stays
- Reduced illnesses and deaths due to medication noncompliance or drug interactions
- Medication labels
- Learn about the medicine
- Understand sided effects
- Consult doctors for any confusion
- Monitor for medication compliance
- Organize the medicines carefully
- Reading medication labels
- Dosage reminder
- Prepare a planner
Source:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000952.htm
https://meridianpsychiatricpartners.com/medication-management-consider/#:~:text=Medication%20management%20is%20a%20level,by%20a%20qualified%20physician%2Fprescribe
Related Resources
Quick Tips: Managing Caregiver Stress
Video
- 0-10
- min
Family Caregiver
How To Be A Better Caregiver When A Loved One Gets Sick
Podcast
- 0-29
- min
Family Caregiver
Signs a Senior Needs Help at Home
Article
- 0-15
- min
Family Caregiver
Talking to Family When You Can No Longer Care for an Elderly Pare...
Article
- 0-15
- min
Family Caregiver
The Top 10 Senior Caregiver Duties You May Encounter
Article
- 0-15
- min
Family Caregiver
10 Tips for Safe Medication Management for Seniors
Article
- 0-10
- min
Family Caregiver
Dental Care
Video
- 0-7
- min
Family Caregiver
How to use Medication Safely - Guide for Caregivers
Video
- 0-3
- min
Family Caregiver
Caregiver Guide: Dental Problems
Article
- 0-15
- min
Family Caregiver
What to Do When Elderly Parents Refuse Help: 8 Communication Tips
Article
- 0-10
- min
Family Caregiver
Caregiver Stress and Burnout
Article
- 0-15
- min
Family Caregiver
4 Caregiving Essentials
Article
- 0-5
- min
Family Caregiver
Toileting & Incontinence
Video
- 0-5
- min
Family Caregiver
Medication Management Guide: 10 Tips for Seniors
Article
- 0-10
- min
Family Caregiver
Transfer Skills
Video
- 0-7
- min
Family Caregiver
How to give a Bed Bath in the Home - Tips for Caregivers
Video
- 0-5
- min
Family Caregiver
Caregiver self-assessment questionnaire
Assessment
- 0-10
- min
Family Caregiver
How to Relieve the Stress of Caring for an Aging Parent
Video
- 0-15
- min
Family Caregiver
Family Caregiver Toolbox And Resources
Toolkit
- 0-45
- min
Family Caregiver
Caregiver Responsibilities List: Caring For My Parents
Article
- 0-15
- min
Family Caregiver
6 Tips for Long-Distance Caregiving
Video
- 0-2
- min
Family Caregiver
