There is no question that your physiology changes as you advance in years. Your body starts to grow weaker, and you become vulnerable to diseases. In fact, most chronic diseases appear in advanced years. Do not worry since these changes are just a part of the normal aging process. However, you will need to do a regular medical check-up and take medicine for your specific medical condition to help you attain a longer and higher quality of life. If you’re looking for a medication management program to ensure medication safety for you or your aging loved one, Clover Hill Senior Living in New Jersey can help. For more information about our services, contact our team today at 201-485-4000.
What Are the Medication Safety Tips for Seniors?
There is a possibility that your body reacts differently to medicine as you age. The physical changes and the inability of your body organs make an impact on its ability to absorb drug components effectively. Some medicine might also have side effects and interactions with others, which could lead to critical complications. Therefore, medication safety tips for seniors are essential to help you or your loved one go through treatment with ease. Some of these tips include:
1. Take Your Medicine as Per the Prescription
You should always ensure that you are taking your medicine at the right time and in the right way to attain the desired effect. Your health care provider gives precise instructions when administering the drugs to you, and you should be keen to follow them. Even when you start feeling better or feel like the medication isn’t working, you do not skip your doses unless instructed otherwise. Some medicine only works when taken regularly until the dosage is over, such as medication for chronic diseases. In case you react negatively to any medication, you should inform your nurse or caregiver as soon as you can.
2. Keep Track of Your Medication
As you age, your cognitive function tends to get lower, and this can affect your memory. There could be instances where you forget to take medicine or forget that you already took them. To avoid such errors that have high health risks, keeping a detailed track record of your medication and routine helps a lot. You can make your work easier by making a list and indicating the following:
- Names of all the medicine you are taking, including supplements and any over-the-counter drugs
- The time you are supposed to take them
- The quantity to take and the instructions attached in the prescription
- Expiration dates of the medicine
- The names of your health care providers
- Your next appointment date
Create several copies and keep one close to your reach and another one in a safe place for reference if one is misplaced.
3. Do Regular Check-up and Review of Your Medication with Your Doctor
The more you take the drugs, the more you get better. Therefore, make it a priority to have a regular check-up with your doctor to check your progress. You may realize that you need to stop using certain drugs, or you will need some more. Besides, some medicines may have adverse side effects and interactions with others, which could be harmful to your health. You will need more information about such and the precautions you should take when using them. Your doctor will also remind you of the special instructions which you may have forgotten.
Learn More at Clover Hill Senior Living
At Clover Hill Senior Living, it is our top priority to safeguard your health by ensuring medication safety. Our staff will equip you with medication safety tips throughout your residency at Clover Hill Senior Living and follow up to see that you are doing it in the right way. Other services we offer to our residents include:
- Private culinary services
- Integrative assisted care
- Individualized care plans
- A.S.P.I.R.E for life programs
- Medication management services
Contact Clover Hill Senior Living at 201-485-4000 to learn more about medication safety tips for seniors and other senior living services.
