Caregivers need Help from Family Members or Friends

Caregivers need Help from Family Members or Friends

Caregivers need Help from Family Members or Friends

help from family members
Caregivers need Help

The US has an aging population.  Hence, Caregivers need Help from Family Members or Friends.  Many senior friends and elderly family members are taking prescription medications.  Furthermore, many are taking natural supplements and vitamins.  Medicine takers ought to  create a caregiver team to help remind them when and in what amount of their doses to take.  To sum up, this will be very helpful. If the event that one lives by themselves,  a caregiver friend of family member ought to  text you every day, when they also take pills.  When your family member also takes meds, you have a built in pill reminder right there at your house. Be sure to take full advantage of the live in caregiver!

Caregivers ought to take Help from Family Members or Friends

Caregivers need Help
Caregivers need Help

Seniors usually need lots of help in remembering to take their medications. First of all. if you have a loved talking several meds, get them a smart pill box with alarms or a automatic pill dispenser with alarms.  Second of all, many will print pictures of their pills from the Pill ID tool.,   Third, writing in large print what each med is used for with it’s name and the proper dose. Place the pictures in a easily seen locations,  Finally, refer to the pictures if and when when needed.

Large print on prescription bottles is useful.  The large print will show drug information.  The pharmacist can print the dosing as well as the drug information in large type.  Hence, be sure to ask them for the over sized print.

Have the most up to Date Medication Information

smart pill box with alarms
MED-Q smart pill box with alarms

Always have an Up-to-Date List of Your Medication Names.  The list should also have the prescribed Strengths.  In addition, the list ought to have the Dosages as well as the Number of Remaining Refills.

Keeping a list of your medication specifics is critical.  In the event of an emergency, one is able you to provide the medication info immediately.  Very important in an emergency situation. Remember, keep the list current and  update.  Be sure to include, when the prescription was started or stopped. Don’t forget,  OTC pills, vitamins and herbal or dietary supplements.  These all should be on the list.

Caregivers need more than a smart pill box with alarms or a automatic pill dispenser with alarms.  This is not a job that should not be shared.  Take advantage of friends and family.  This will help delay or totally avoid caregiver burn out.To sum up, Caregivers need Help from Family Members or Friends
[cherry_sharing networks=”facebook,googleplus,pinterest,stumbleupon,reddit,twitter,linkedin,tumblr” style=”only-logos”]

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_PostCarousel_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

If you can’t remember whether you took your medication, what do you do?

What happens if you don’t remember if you took your medications?  When one is not sure if you took a pill, never, ever just take another dose yet. What could happen if you double dose?  If someone ingests an additional dose, the consequences can be deadly. In fact, an extra dose can raise the risk of harmful effects. Check your pill organizer, count the remaining pills in the bottle, or review the instructions that came with your prescription to find specific guidance. 

doctorHealth care profsionals are in agreement, “For most medications, it is safer to accidentally miss a single dose than to double dose” . Keep in mind that the pill/dosing guidelines vary drastically depending on the medication.  For example, it is different for  blood thinners or something like birth control.), it is always best to double-check with a professional.  If in doubt, call the local pharmacy you got the prescription filled.  Also, call e the America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 .  This can help if you are concerned about over dosing. 

For further guidance, consult I can’t remember whether I took my medication, what do I do? on Medical News Today. To help prevent confusion in the future, you can implement some 9 Simple Strategies for Remembering To Take Your Medication or read the Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Medication guide on WebMD.
 
If you are missing doses consistently, a few strategies can help get your routine back on track:
  • Use a weekly pillbox: These old fashion pill holders can be useful.   They show a quick visual cue to show which days  doses have been taken.
  • Use a Digital Pill Reminder: Medication reminders, like the Med-Q pill Box. have flashing guides.  These alarmed reminders help preventing over dosing. 
  • Try to do Habit stacking: Match up your daily pill-taking with a non-negotiable daily habit.  For example, your first cup of coffee or brushing yourhair.
  • Set electronic reminders: Use persistent reminder apps, alarm clocks, or simple smart phone alarm reminders.

What to do if Unsure?

The worry about over doing is real.  When unsure whether the dose has been taken, the best thing to do is speak with your health care provider or even your pharmacist. They will  advise you on the best course of action based on ythe specific medication. that is over dosed.

pill box for seniors

If you take oral tablets or capsules, you can count how many pills you have left. If you know when you started taking the pills out of that prescription bottle, this could help you determine whether you’ve taken your dose for that day.

Sometimes, when you haven’t taken your medication, there may still be time to take that dose. However, this could depend on the drug and dosing schedule.

Although in some cases, if it’s almost time to take your next dose, your doctor may recommend skipping the missed dose and taking your next dose at its regular time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose as doing so could raise your risk of side effects.

What happens if you accidentally take your medication twice?

Do not take more of a drug than your doctor prescribes. While serious side effects may be rare, for some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose. Some of the most dangerous medications to double-dose include:

  • heart maintenece medications
  • ADHD drugs, for example “Adderall”
  • medications for Type 1 Diabetes
  • prescription narcotic pain pills
  • psychiatric medications , for example “Wellbutrin.”

If you have any doubt, act quickly. 

Fist of all, contact your doctor right away.  Let them know you may have accidentally taken two doses or three doses of your daily medication. They will offer up advice.  The Healthcare profesional can often advise of what steps to take.  Also, they will let you know about symptoms to watch out for.

pill dispenser
America's #1 Pill Dispenser with Triple Alarms

Recent Tips

Scroll to Top