Medication is designed to heal, cure illness and reduce pain. Many times senior citizens tend to be a major group of medication abusers. Your parent may not be purposely abusing, however, many factors may be contributing to this problem without their awareness. Preventing medication abuse in seniors much easier than treating it.
Reasons for Medication Abuse
One obvious reason may be mom or dad’s declining vision. If your mother or father cannot see what they are taking, they may be taking the wrong medication or the incorrect dosage.
Memory loss also plays a role in medication overdose or incorrect dosing. In home care for elderly supporters are concerned that mom or dad may also be mixing medications with alcohol or foods that should not be combined.
Preventing Medication Abuse in Seniors
If your parent is confused about the medication he or she takes or when to take his or her pills, it may help to teach them more about their prescriptions. For some senior citizens, setting up a weekly dosage plan is sufficient. Others may need a caregiver to provide medication reminders and assistance. Some families take turns and assign family members or volunteers from church or neighborhood to assist their senior loved ones.
Many older adults have tried cutting back on their medications because of the high cost of prescriptions. This practice can be harmful to their health. Home care providers ill raise concerns with a senior’s family support system in the event this happens. Under-dosing pills is as dangerous in many cases as overdosing. If your mom or dad cannot afford their medication, it is important to contact their doctor and check into different medical and pharmacy programs to verify any free or discount plans.
Contact Us
Professional caregivers can provide a lot of assistance with medication reminders. Our caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care can help your loved one take the right dosage at the proper time to prevent any medical issues. They can also prepare healthy meals while accommodating any dietary restrictions to supplement the medications.
Give us a call at (239) 337-4263 for more information about how we can assist your loved one with their medications.
