Medication Management
Elders and Medication
People age 65 and older consume more prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines than any other age group. Older people tend to have more long-term, chronic illnesses – such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease – than do younger people. Because they may have a number of diseases or disabilities at the same time, it is common for older people to take many different drugs. This may be riskier for older adults, especially when several medicines are used at one time. Taking different medicines is not always easy to do right. It may be hard to remember what each medicine is for, how you should take it and when you should take it. Utilizing a clinical Care Manager for Medication Management provides a safe and effective means to ensure compliance with medicine routine and avoid many of the complications from taking multiple medications.
Senior Solutions' Staff Will:
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Develop a medication management form to keep track of both prescription and over the counter (OTC) medicines. Be sure to include the physicians name, dosage and times of day to take it. A copy is also given to the family caregiver.
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Check labels and all written information to make sure it is for the correct person and the correct directions.
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Check expiration dates and properly dispose of expired medications.
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Notify physician immediately if any problems occur.
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Watch for any interaction and notify physician if any occur.
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Ensure physicians review medication and the medication management form regularly.
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Establish reminders to ensure all dosages are taken appropriately and in compliance with physicians' orders.