Different bodies have different needs—every individual has their own needs that are unique to them alone. Some people need antidepressants, others need antihistamines, and many need vitamins. Everyone requires a little bit of something to have a comfortable life—to be able to keep on living. But as the years pass, as your ages progress, and as your wrinkles deepen, your needs also evolve. They change and perhaps become even more complicated than ever before!
Most old age people have deteriorating health; they greatly depend on the proper medication to live longer lives. However, providing the appropriate medication for your older loved one is difficult—it’s not just about placing their medicines in pillboxes. If you’re not knowledgeable enough about prescription medications, they could have a significant impact on the health of your loved one.
The Challenge of Managing Medications for Aging Adults
Many seniors take multiple medications a day, so it’s understandable if you find it challenging to keep up at first. However, senior medication leaves no room for mistakes; their lives are on the line, and it is up to you to ensure that they are taking the right pills.
Although medications aim to help older adults with their ailments, they can also cause harm. Here are some of the problems people face when it comes to managing medications for aging adults:
Side Effects
Some medications can affect one’s thinking and balance. Some of the most common medications that cause side effects include:
Anticholinergics
These medications block the action of acetylcholine, the chemical that helps with memory, learning, and concentration. Anticholinergics are usually used for overactive bladders, sleeping problems, allergies, nerve pain, and many others.
Sedatives or Tranquilizers
These drugs are often prescribed for those who have trouble sleeping or anxiety. Sedatives and tranquilizers slow down brain activity and make the patient feel more relaxed.
Persisting Symptoms
Doctors usually prescribe the person a specific drug to address a symptom. However, primary care visits could get busy, and doctors and patients could forget to keep track. As a result, they cannot follow up on the medication to figure out if the dose was sufficient in addressing the symptom, if they need to change the dose, or if they need to switch the drug altogether. Older adults may end up taking medication that isn’t doing anything at all while costing copious amounts of money.
Harmful Drug Interactions
Everything that your older adult is ingesting into their body can have the potential to interact with each other—whether it be food, drinks, supplements, or medications. To reduce the risk of any severe complications, you can check each medication on an online drug interactions checker or ask their doctor for guidance.
Scheduling Troubles
Most aging adults have to take several pills a day and at different times during the day. You have to be careful when scheduling the senior’s medications—make sure that they are taken at the right time with the right amount, or else you could end up taking them to the hospital.
What You Can Do
Managing aging adults’ medications day after day takes a lot of commitment, knowledge, and care. Even just one mistake can risk their life! If you think that you cannot handle their medications or that you’re not the right person for the job, consider investing in-home health care or senior health services in California.
Home health providers can give the necessary medical care to your aging loved one while managing their medications, thus effectively reducing the probability of emergency hospital visits. They can help the elderly lead a long, healthy life in the comfort of their homes!
Conclusion
Managing medications is a serious job, but even more so when it concerns the elderly. Due to the multiple medications they take in a day, it can be challenging to track everything they take while monitoring the side effects and studying each drug’s interaction. If you don’t think that you can provide them with the best care, you can always look for a home health provider to help your aging loved one lead a good life for the remaining years to come.
Are you having a difficult time caring for your aging loved one at home? Please leave it to our professionals at Bridge Home Health & Hospice! Our team provides a wide range of skilled services. We make sure to provide your loved ones the comfort they need, the convenience they want, and the treatment they deserve. Visit our website to learn more about our home health services!
