Every year, the president of the United States undergoes a health exam, and when the report was issued for President Biden it listed five medications he takes regularly – two over-the-counter medicines for allergies, Pepcid for acid reflux, Crestor to control his cholesterol levels and a blood thinner for a previously diagnosed heart arrhythmia.
Biden is not an outlier. For many older Americans, multiple medications are a fact of life. According to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, people aged 65-69 take an average of 15 prescriptions a year, and for those over 80 the number grows to 18 per year.
Keeping track of all of those medications can be complicated. Some might need to be taken with food, while others are more effective on an empty stomach. Sometimes you take medication every other day, but others might be once a week. And for retired people who don’t have the work-week to keep up with what day it is, remembering what to take when can be confusing.
If you or your loved one has found days where you wonder if you took the pills you were supposed to, it might be time to look for some ideas to better manage your medications.
While it might seem easy to just pass it off as being forgetful if you skip a dose, or accidentally take two, there are risks. Not taking your medications as prescribed, for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes, can lead to complications with your health issues. Mismanagement of medications among adult age 65 and older is seven times more likely to lead to hospitalization than young people.
Make a List of Medications and Instructions
One of the first things to do to stay organized with medications is to make a list of all the medications you take, even the over-the-counter medications. Be sure to put all instructions on the list.
Having a list of your medications is helpful when you go to the doctor or pharmacist. Doctors will want to know what you already take before prescribing something new, so they don’t run the risk of complications. And pharmacists will help you be on the lookout for medications that are less effective when taken together, or might react with each other.
Find Ways to Stay Organized
Once you have a list, figure out the best way to get your medications organized so you can take them on time with the right instructions.
· Pill organizers. Some people work great with the pill box organizers. You can get them in various sizes, for a week or for a month at a time. Some even have separate sections for “time of day” organization.
· Automatic pill dispensers. Why open up plastic containers manually when you can have the pills drop into a bowl automatically? Automatic pill dispensers put the pill you need to take into a little bowl at the appropriate time of day. An added benefit is that these dispensers lock, so there’s no worry of accidentally taking more than you should. Some even have Bluetooth enabled connectivity, so you can monitor drug use with an app on your smartphone.
· In-home caregivers. For a more personalized touch, our caregivers at Piedmont Home Care can help you or your loved one with medication management. Being able to age in place for some people might mean getting assistance for some of the daily living tasks. We’ve got a talented team who care for our clients like family. We can help keep track of what medications should be taken and when, and can also help take notes to share with loved ones when doctors or pharmacists give new prescriptions or instructions.
To learn more about how Piedmont Home Care can assist you or your loved ones, call us at 336-724-1197. We can create a care plan to help you enjoy the time you spend with your loved ones and help them enjoy a satisfying quality of life.
