Around nine out of ten older adults take at least one prescription medication. Over half of all adults over 64 take at least four prescription medications each day. How many does your mom take?
Your mom may also be taking over-the-counter supplements at her doctor’s request. What do you know of the different pills she takes? Is she wasting money on supplements and medications she doesn’t need?
Why Is She Taking Them?
Go over the pills your mom takes and ask why she takes them. If she has multiple doctors prescribing medications, make sure she’s not taking any medicines that do the same thing or counteract each other. Many doctors rely on your mom’s account of what she’s taking, so there could be problems with her not reporting everything.
Once you know what she is taking and why, discuss how necessary they are. Her doctor recommended that she take vitamin D supplements. After reading a newspaper article, she also decided to take calcium. Ask her doctor if she needs calcium when she drinks milk each day.
What Are the Common Side Effects?
What are the side effects that may impact your mom’s day? If they make her dizzy or tired, she shouldn’t drive after taking them. If they cause nausea, she should see if she can eat them with a meal to help lower the severity of the queasiness.
If the side effects of her pills are unbearable, she needs to ask her doctor if any alternatives will work as well. If not, can she take them before bedtime and sleep through them?
Can She Afford It?
How much are her prescription medications costing her each month? Does she ever have to decide between her pills or her groceries? If they’re straining her budget, you need to help her shop for lower prices or talk to her doctor about generic brands that cost less.
Does She Remember to Take Them?
Two issues arise with medications and older adults. Sometimes, they fail to take them on time. Others take pills and can’t remember if they’ve taken them, resulting in them taking a second dose.
If your mom is at risk of taking too many pills or not taking them at all, she needs help with medication management. Caregivers can stop by each day and remind your mom when it’s time to take her pills.
Her in-home care aides help her keep track of when it’s time to order refills. They’ll also drive her when it’s time to run errands to pharmacies and other stores.
It’s time to arrange medication reminders. Have someone help your mom organize her morning routines and ensure she’s following her doctor’s recommendations. Call an expert today to learn more about in-home care.
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If you are considering in-home care in Memorial, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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