2:16 AM
maestr0
The minutes of physical problems that we begin to experience in adulthood tend to enlarge and transform into more problematic as we age. That the stiffness turns to pain and even limited mobility. Failure to stop smoking has resulted in some difficulties in breathing and maintaining a more active lifestyle. So on and so forth. Of route as we get older, there is a further thing that can come all along, which is less estimated. High osteoporosis, heart disease, cholesterol and other problems may come into view and regularly begin to exercise more be in charge of over our lives.
As these issues come to the surface, many older people find that medication is an important part of life. At one point, they can actually be overwhelming. So many drugs to remember and to take such a big volume. I am not a doctor, nor am I a health care professional. I can not give advice about medications and their interactions, usefulness or something else. I do not feel competent to alternatives to the drugs that are prearranged by most doctors. But I am an important person who is caught up in caring for elderly parents and wanted some suggestions on steps that can be taken to get better the chances that such a person will be capable to fulfill with a medication schedule and as safely possible to offer them. These suggestions are only based on my personal experience with my aging father and mother and are not medical advice.
Difficulty taking oral medications
Taking them with adequate fluid may help with this also. It is possible to split a very large pill so that it left a sharp edge, making it more painful if it does not really get stuck. Pill crushers or pulverizers are another option that can eliminate this problem.
Some pills are available in different forms and if you care for an elderly person who has difficulty, please contact your doctor or pharmacist. Several may be obtainable in smaller, coated capsules that swallowed easier, but more helpful is a liquid when feasible. Every now and then the medication itself can be switch and controlled by a diverse route as you can see below.
My father had great difficulty swallowing pills, crushing was useful for him. My mother on the other hand, a pill the size of a walnut and never complain. But she had trouble just taking the large number of medications she had to take on most days. Finding a way to consistently take her to all her medications and to avoid too full to eat anything, obliges us to the doctor about other routes to check for taking the medicines.
Because of its limited food intake, my mother needs additional B12. Fortunately, one of her options was to get through this one once a month shot vs. continue to take it in pill form daily. In fact, her body seemed to be a better use of the supplement in this way taken in pill form over it. Some of her other medications were also able to be deliver by substitute routes. Instead of a daily pill she moved one of its drugs to one patch and another was administered as an IV infusion once a year. This switch not only reduced the number of oral medications she was taking, but also reduced the number of medications she had forgotten to take.
Her arthritis prescription was shifted to one that can be delivered by nasal spray, although it is still a daily dose. A word of caution however: if the medication is given to them you need to make sure that the individual can waive a nasal spray well, so that the full target dose. It can be difficult to operate the dispenser if there is another tremor or weakness.
Remembering to take medicines
If you care for an elderly person living independently and are self-administer their medication, able to consistently remember to be critical. No medication is effective if the therapeutic level is achieved and maintained. This means it must be taken in the dosage prescribed, the prescribed schedule, not only when reminded.
When my father was alive, we just made a chart and my mother and he included in it every time he took a pill. My mother was his memory. Now, years later my mother alone, and there is nobody else there to act as its back-up memory.
There are more than a few products on the marketplace that can facilitate organize pills, act as a aide memoire, and level dispense pills, so there is no confusion on whether or not a pill planned for earlier in the day was taken. They range from simple containers to electronic devices that an audible and visual reminder alarms. They are even capable of delivery up to 25 to 30 pills in a single day. Many of these require as little as every two weeks to fill, so a friend or family member to periodically refresh if necessary.
Know your medicines
Another thing I've learned is the significance of knowing all the medications in use and their dosage. My mother keep simplified list of all its drugs in her bag. Whenever we visit the doctor, they need to know of any changes. This is particularly critical if more than one doctor prescribes medication for the individual. It is clear that such information is important in case of emergency. Of course medical alert bracelets and wallet cards can be a good idea for many people. These are often used for diabetics and patients on Coumadin, a "blood thinner". There are also medical alert signals that can be found online at your front door a warning rescuers. A complete list of medications, etc. can be stored in the refrigerator or medicine cabinet for their reference. Medical alarm systems are available that not only help in an emergency call, but often keep records of medicines and medical information, which can be used by practitioners.
Know the Danger Signs and Let Them
If you care for an elderly loved one, the only other medications tip I can give is to make sure to read on any medications they take. Meet the precautions, side effects, and any mention of drug interactions. Asks the doctor that is important, but talking with the pharamacist is sometimes easier, like getting the time to talk with your doctor if you are not an appointment can be difficult. Each time a new medication is started, it is wise to check how the individual reacts. They have headaches, stomach problems, heart palpitations, loss of appetite, or something else? It is important to keep tabs on things for a while. Of course it is also possible that things may well go for quite some time and much later cause problems when things seem to get out of balance. Medications can share their therapeutic level over time and should be changed. Keep the doctor assessed! For older people who live far away, regular checks by the doctor or a nurse is a good idea. Once a year visits are not frequent enough in my experience.
