HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SENIOR’S MEDICATION

It can be a problem for anyone, but it is an especially common problem for our senior loved ones. We are talking about taking the right medications, in the correct doses, and at the right times.

Forgetting to take a certain medication, or worse, taking too much of a medication, can cause serious health consequences. At the MorningStar assisted living facility in Everett, Washington, our caregivers receive training on how to help seniors follow their prescription medication regimens. However, you can do your part to learn how to keep track of your senior’s medication.

Take Medications with Meals

​Perhaps the most effective strategy to ensure your senior loved one takes prescribed medications involves linking the taking of meds with mealtimes. Once your senior loved one gets into the routine of taking the right meds with the right meal, you might be able to approach medication monitoring with less vigilance.

Create a Schedule

The caregivers at a senior housing facility help guests stay current with their medications by following a detailed schedule. You can do the same for your senior loved one by creating a schedule that remains the same until your loved one’s physician changes the schedule. Keeping track of multiple meds can cause confusion. Posting a schedule in a common area like the kitchen can help your senior loved one remain on track.

Store Meds in an Organizer

A simple plastic box with several compartments represents an effective way to organize your senior loved one’s prescription medications. The bonus of using an organizer is you eliminate the frustration experienced by your loved one while trying to open a medication bottle. If you decide to use an organizer, make sure to label each medication compartment with the type of drug and the dose to take, as well as what day and time to take the medication.

Send Notifications

Leveraging the power of technology can help your senior loved one remain on the right schedule for taking prescription medications. You can set an alarm on a watch and/or establish a communication system on a Smartphone that automatically sends notifications when it is time to take certain drugs. Another way to notify your senior loved one is to set an alarm on a standard clock. 

Monitor Your Loved One’s Pill Inventory

Every prescription medication issued comes with a label that presents helpful information, such as how many pills are part of each bottle. Knowing how many pills are in each prescription medication bottle helps you discover when your senior loved one has missed one or more doses or has taken too many pills.

Consider Hiring a Certified Caregiver

Even the most thoroughly vetted medication monitoring systems can reveal one or more flaws. Because of the negative health consequences of missing doses and/or taking too many pills, hiring a professional caregiver offers you the peace of mind you deserve that your senior loved one is following the correct medication schedule.

At the MorningStar at Silver Lake, our professional caregivers receive training on how to keep track of our guests’ medications. Learn more about our highly-rated senior housing facility in Everett, Washington by submitting the short online form.