Here at Quality Family Care we understand that taking care of an elderly family member or loved one isn’t the easiest task to deal with every day. One of the most important things to be aware of is tracking a proper medication schedule and safe guarding the possibilities of mix ups and forgetful mishaps such as scheduling and dosage.
Medication Mix-up Information
Over 1.3 million Individuals in the United States are harmed from medication mistakes or oversights annually in the United States. Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that roughly 4 Emergency Room (ER) visits out of every 1,000 grownups are due to unfavorable drug reactions. Another report suggested that 30% of elderly patient ER visits resulted from medication mistakes or oversights.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, virtually 60% of all Americans take approximately one prescription drug. A report provided by the National Institutes of Health suggests that over 90% of seniors age 65 and over take a minimum of one prescription while 40% take approximately five prescribed medications. This report also revealed that 55% of seniors were not complying with the medication directions appropriately.
When we think about this data incorporated with the fact that countless seniors also take non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, we can start to comprehend the seriousness of medication confusions and mistakes. Many elderly people take more than 10 drugs, consisting of both prescription and OTC medications.
Typical Medicine Oversights
Typical medicine oversights happen when medications have very similar names. For instance, Celebrex is used to manage arthritis whereas Celexa is used to deal with depression. Yet another frequent issue is consuming too much of a medicine. Several medications interact with another medication, and this issue can be particularly harmful to seniors who are on multiple prescriptions and/or OTC medications.
Some types of food, like grapefruit, can interact with medications due to the way medicines are metabolized. So, it’s essential to recognize any foods or drinks or medicines that can interact with the medication you are consuming.
Several drugs are intended for nasal inhalation, while others are indicated to be taken sub-lingual and others ingested. When these medications are not taken in the appropriate way, the efficiency can change essentially triggering unfavorable results.
Over 40% of elderly people 65 and over take 5 or more prescriptions everyday.
Prescription mix-up Resolution
Here are some essential tips to help you or your loved one handle his or her prescription medications:
- Make a comprehensive checklist of all medication names, details, drug indications, and prescribed dosages. Keep a copy in the house and another at your side for any medical visits.
- Abide by the instructions on the medication– never consume more than prescribed.
- Take into consideration using a pill-minder to guarantee you take the right amounts of each medicine as recommended.
- Guarantee that you recognize the generic names that are comparable to the brand prescription medications.
- Make sure that medicine labels are accurately marked and stored individually to avoid name mistakes.
- Avoid medication interactions by making sure that your pharmacist and physicians understand each medication you are consuming– including any OTC medicines in addition to vitamins and nutritional supplements.
- If you have any inquiries about the prescription medications, don’t assume or guess; speak with your pharmacist or physician.
- If you or your loved one is having troubles with medication monitoring, you may want to think about a home health care provider. A professional caregiver can guarantee that you or your loved one takes the appropriate medicine in the right dosage at the right times. A caregiver can also monitor vitals, oversee health, and help with tasks such as replenishing prescriptions.
If you have concerns about medication management for you or your elderly loved one or family member, get in touch with us at 561-242-9450, toll-free: 877-513-7156, or visit www.qualityfamilycare.com.