Medication Safety Tips For Seniors And Their Caregivers

 While people over the age of 65 represent 14% of the US population, they consume more than one-third of the total number of prescription medications. Safely sticking to a medication schedule can sometimes be difficult for seniors, which is evident from the number of times people over 65 and older visit emergency departments, which is 450,000 times per year for adverse drug events, for reasons ranging from memory loss to small print on prescription labels. Many seniors take multiple types of medicine each day, so keeping track of them, especially when cognitive impairment is present, becomes even more challenging.

In the times we are in, seniors may be limiting contact with a senior home care Charlotte, NC professional or a loved one who has assisted with their medication management.Well-informed patients and families are key to getting the healthcare work done better. Here are some suggestions for caregivers and seniors that may help to ensure safe and effective use of medications:

Confusion with times- Some prescription medications are time-sensitive, meaning if you miss a dose or if several doses are taken too closely, it can be detrimental to health. If coronavirus concerns keep you or another caregiver from helping in person, it is best to resort to an electronic option like a device that can help older adults safely adhere to a medication schedule, for example, MedMinder.

Swallowing difficulties- Chronic health conditions often make it difficult to swallow, while some seniors may reduce their dosage or mash them into food out of fear of choking, which may reduce the effectiveness of the medications (especially those with a time-release component). It is best to consult with your loved one’s doctor in this regard, who may come out with an alternative for your loved one to take the medicine.

Reading tiny print- Reading fine print becomes more difficult for everyone as we age, which can be attributed to seniors often having some type of vision loss. This makes it more likely to make a medication error. You can overcome this challenge by calling up the pharmacy and asking them to use labels with a larger font.

Other common medication challenges:

1.   Drug reactions

2.   Multiple prescribers and pharmacies

3.   Food and drug interactions

4.   Borrowing someone else’s medications

5.   Storing medication improperly (understand the storage instructions and follow them)

6.   OTC medication (make sure the pharmacist and the senior’s physician are aware of all medications being taken by the senior)

7.   Herbal remedies and OTC medications(learn about the risk associated with taking any herbal supplements in conjunction with medications)

8.   Alcohol (be aware of instructions about avoiding particular foods and/or alcohol)

It is important to not discontinue medications on your own without consulting a physician, as stopping the medicine abruptly can have severe consequences, particularly when they have been used daily over a long period of time.

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Simple In-Home Exercises For Seniors

 

Staying in during COVID-19 restrictions shouldn’t mean spending hours on end on the couch, especially for seniors, who can be affected by the pandemic without even contracting the virus. It is always important for seniors to exercise to help improve their overall immunity, now even more (during the spread of COVID-19) when they are at greater risk of complications from the virus. It is also true that finding opportunities for movements and exercise can be challenging in these unprecedented times where the pandemic has limited access to exercise classes, gyms and has overall decreased motivation to stay active.

No matter seniors are still active or have limited mobility, they should try to exercise every week, and there are in-home exercises designed especially for older adults which can get them moving while staying at home, thus ensuring their physical and emotional well-being.

Remember exercise is meant to improve your health, not cause you to get injured, so it’s always advised to check with your physician prior to starting any new exercise program. Regular physical activity can help seniors recover more quickly from injuries and illnesses. It is even more critical now for seniors to be active so they can maintain strength in their muscles, mobility, and independence.

Here are some in-home exercises seniors can do from the comfort of their own homes:

Cardiovascular Exercise- Age is a crucial factor in determining the recommended heart rate for cardiovascular exercise. With age, the average beats per minute of your heart rate decreases while exercising. Therefore, many seniors may opt for low-intensity exercises (like walking or riding a stationary bike), which only slightly increases your heart and breathing rate, and are suitable for seniors with a range of medical conditions that make exertion particularly difficult or dangerous. Seniors may as well opt for activities like gardening or perform other household chores that require a level of physical exertion. More moderate-intensity cardio exercises, such as cycling, are generally recommended for healthy older adults.

Strength Training- Experts recommend strength training at least twice a week for older adults, which can help strengthen muscles and help you to continue to do all the things you need to do in a day, such as climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, etc. According to experts, you can lose 3-8% of your muscle mass each decade, and strength training increases bone density by 1-3% and reduces your risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 41%.

Weights, elastic bands, or a person’s body weight- all can provide resistance, which can help with fall prevention, muscle mass retention, and increased bone density. Some equipment-free, at-home exercises for seniors include wall push-ups, chair squats, single foot stand (exercise for balance), etc.

Exercises for Flexibility- Flexibility is important for older adults as they are more prone to stiff joints and tight muscles, which can make it difficult to do things that were once simple like reaching for something high up, etc. Working towards improving one’s flexibility can help maintain good posture and move more freely and easily.

Look up simple stretches (side, shoulder, triceps, hamstring, calf, knee and chest stretches) for older adults online, there’ll be videos on how to perform each stretch. Balance training is just as vital for seniors, which promotes stability, so you no longer have to fall prey to slips and falls.

Choosing the best home care York County professional can be highly beneficial for your aging parents, who’ll not only provide help with daily tasks, personal assistance, companionship, but also supporting health (healthy meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation to medical appointments, and help with physical and mental exercise).

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