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Medication organization is a critical aspect of providing care for a senior loved one with dementia. Properly handling prescriptions ensures your loved one’s health and wellbeing, but the task can sometimes feel overwhelming. With the right strategies, however, it’s possible to ensure medications are taken as prescribed while minimizing stress for both you and your loved one.
Maintain an Updated Medication List
A key step in medication organization is keeping an up-to-date list of medications your loved one is taking. This should include:
- The name of each medication, both brand and generic names
- Dosage amounts and instructions
- The prescribing doctor’s name
- The purpose of the medication
Regularly update the list whenever there’s a change in prescription and review it with healthcare providers during appointments. Consider keeping digital and physical versions of the list for easy access in emergencies.
Establish a Daily Routine
Dementia patients thrive on consistency, and creating a structured routine around medication times can prevent missed doses. Whether it’s aligning medication schedules with mealtimes or other daily activities, having a predictable schedule benefits both you and your loved one.
To assist with this, set alarms or notifications on your phone as reminders for medication times. Some caregivers find success using colorful pillboxes labeled with days of the week or time slots to visually support the routine.
Home care service providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Understand Medication Side Effects
Every medication comes with potential side effects, and understanding these helps caregivers manage any issues that may arise. If your loved one experiences negative side effects, it could worsen his or her confusion or agitation.
Ask the prescribing physician or pharmacist about common side effects, and monitor your loved one for any changes in behavior, cognition, or physical health. Note these changes and report them to the healthcare provider so adjustments can be made if necessary.
Simplify the Medication Regimen
Handling multiple medications can become complicated, increasing the risk of errors. Work with your loved one’s healthcare provider to simplify the regimen if possible. This might include:
- Switching to once-a-day medications instead of multiple doses
- Using combination pills that merge two medications into one
- Transitioning from pill forms to liquids or patches if swallowing becomes an issue
Simplifying the regimen not only benefits your loved one but also reduces the stress on you.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, medication reminders, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of in-home care Arlington families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Use Medication Organization Tools
Technology can be a lifesaver when it comes to medication organization. There are various tools and devices designed to help dementia caregivers stay organized, such as:
- Pill dispensers with automated timers that release the correct dose at the right time
- Mobile apps like Medisafe or Pill Reminder to track and monitor prescriptions
- Smart packaging with built-in alarms or notifications
These tools are especially helpful for caregivers handling their loved ones’ care remotely or juggling multiple responsibilities.
Communicate with Healthcare Providers
Staying in close communication with your loved one’s healthcare team is vital. Regularly review the medication list with doctors to confirm everything is necessary and to check for potential interactions between drugs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about new medications or share concerns about observed side effects.
Additionally, a pharmacist can offer practical advice on timing doses, handling missed doses, or administering and storing medications properly. They’re an essential resource in the medication organization process.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Arlington families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Specialists today to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.
