Managing medications is an important task for both aging adults and their families. For seniors living with multiple chronic conditions, medication management can become complicated. Unfortunately, many seniors are unable to stay on top of their own medication regimens due to physical or mental limitations, or even inaccessibility to medications they need.
Signs That Indicate Seniors Could Need Help with Medication Management
The signs that indicate seniors may need help with medication management can be difficult to spot. Here are some common indicators:
- Difficulty Understanding Instructions for Taking Medications. If a senior has difficulty understanding the instructions they've been given by their physician, this could denote an issue with medication management.
- Difficulty Obtaining Medications. Have you noticed your relative's struggles when trying to acquire their medications? Difficulty in obtaining medications could suggest too much legwork or uncertainty surrounding the process of actually getting the necessary prescriptions and refills from pharmacies and other sources. Seniors with financial difficulties may also have a hard time getting access to the medications they need.
- Difficulty Remembering to Take Medications. Memory lapses are a common symptom of aging, especially for seniors who take multiple types and dosages of medications every day. An inability to remember all details about a drug regimen is clearly something requiring attention.
- Difficulty Keeping Track of Medications. A logbook or calendar system can get very confusing if written instructions aren't followed consistently. If a senior loved one struggles to keep up with what medications they need to take and when, it could indicate that they need more assistance with medication management.
Ways to Provide Assistance
It is important to put interventions in place once signs of needing help with medication management are evident. This can help ensure that seniors maintain their health and well-being.
Here are some approaches caregivers or family members may take:
Establish a Routine for Medication Reminders
Establishing a regimen for when a senior should eat, take medications, or do any testing needed to determine safe medication levels can keep seniors on track. Try setting reminders throughout the day via smartphone alarms or simple sticky notes. In fact, this can be often helpful for seniors who want additional control over taking their drugs as prescribed.
Assist with Understanding Medication Instructions and Side Effects
It's not always easy for seniors to decipher what sometimes complex instructions mean. Caregivers can assist in this capacity by breaking down information into simpler language. This helps provide a way for how medications should be taken every day. Additionally, if seniors have any questions about potential side effects from said prescriptions, knowledgeable parties will need to step in and provide further clarification if necessary.
Help Find Ways to Pay for Medications
Finding ways to pay for costly medications may present another obstacle altogether. Families can look into strategies like Medicare and Medicaid as well as private insurance programs that can help pay for medication assistance.
Get Help for Seniors Who Need More Assistance with Medication Management
In many cases, seniors may discover that they need more help with medication management and other basic support. For seniors in Philadelphia, Elkins Park, Cheltenham, and Wynnewood, Senior Helpers Greater Philadelphia can help.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how our in-home care providers can help seniors manage medication and more.