As we age, medication management often becomes more complex. Multiple chronic health conditions, cognitive changes, vision and hearing loss, and using numerous physicians can all increase the risk of medication errors among older adults. Family caregivers play a critical role in helping prevent problems.
Common Causes of Medication Errors
There are many reasons seniors are prone to medication mix-ups, mistakes, and non-adherence. These include:
- Taking multiple prescriptions, OTC drugs, vitamins - risk of interactions rises
- Forgetting to take medications or taking duplicate doses
- Vision problems reading labels and dosing properly
- Hearing loss missing verbal instructions
- Cognitive decline causing confusion with drug regimens
- Improper combinations (alcohol, grapefruit etc)
- Not understanding label/dosing instructions
- Side effects mistaken for new symptoms
- Obtaining medications from different doctors
Caregiving Tips for Medication Safety
Family members caring for older loved ones should implement these medication management strategies:
Create a Master Medication List - Maintain an up-to-date list of ALL medications the senior is taking - prescription, OTC, vitamins, herbs etc. Include the drug name, dose, prescribing doctor, purpose, and administration schedule.
Use Reminder Tools - Pill organizers, reminders apps, calendars, timers help prevent missed doses. Pair written and verbal reminders. Associate taking medications with daily routines.
Organize Medications - Keep only current medications together in clearly labeled containers. Discard old meds. Have easy-to-read labels. Separate lookalike/soundalike drug names.
Verify Doses - Always double check dosing, especially after refills or medication changes. Confirm appropropriate doses for health conditions like kidney disease. Ask doctors and pharmacists.
Watch for Reactions - Note any side effects or adverse reactions. Monitor for dizziness, confusion, rashes, stomach upset, etc. Report issues to medical providers.
Include Family & Doctors - Have a family member help organize/distribute medications. Keep all providers updated on meds and medical issues to prevent dangerous interactions.
By taking proactive measures to organize, track, and monitor medications, caregivers can greatly reduce the risk of costly errors. Consult doctors and pharmacists with any medication management questions.
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