Top 10 Medication Management tips

Top 10 Medication Management tips

Top 10 Medication Management tips

First, The top medication management tips can and will improve seniors Quality of Life.  First of all,  41 percent of Americans aged 60 and up take five or more prescription medications. Again, this same study found that 55% of seniors take their medications wrong.  For example, the wrong dose at the wrong time. To sum up, there are ways that you or your caregiver assure that prescription medications and supplements are being taken properly.

Med-Q smart medication reminder with alarm
Med-Q smart medication reminder

Us Top 10 Medication Management tips

Medication Management tips is a must. First, seniors have AIMM’s (Age induced medication mistakes).  Hence, a problem for people as they get older.  Forgetting to take life saving medications is not like forgetting where you left the TV remote.  To illustrate, medication errors lead to over 100 Thousand  deaths ins the US every year.

This is why a Smart Medication Reminder is a top Medication Management tips.  The new generation of reminders have blasting alarm and flashing guides.  May have a backup that will leave you a text if the individual is not taking their pills.  

Bring the list to Keep an updated list of all the medications being taken

Medication Management tips make life easier. For example. making sure to Keep an updated list of all the medications that you or your loved on is now being taken.  First, make sure the list has the name of the medication.  In addition, include the frequency of the doses.  Furthermore, the way it should be taken.  Finally, what is the  purpose and the duration. Even so, the list needs to also have all OTC (over-the-counter) medications, vitamins and herbal supplements. Definitely. even these medications can cause side effects or possible dangerous interactions.

• First, have a separate copy in your wallet or purse. Second, have copies being held by family members or friends.  Finally, keep a copy on the refrigerator in case of an emergency situation.

• The American Geriatrics Society offers a free drug and supplement diary template.  In addition, the  National Institutes of Health also has a free medication chart template.  Hence, a quick and easy way to create your list.

Medication Management tips
Med-Q Medication Management tips

A top Medication Management tips , bring a list to doctor’s appointments

Again, a list will give the doctor the best, updated record of your current medications.  With accurate information, doctors can prevent  any potentially harmful drug interactions.  The second reason, the list will lower the risk of many different pills being prescribed for the same illness.

Try to Stay informed about the medication being taken

First, read the patient information sheets and instructions that come with the medicine.  Hence users will know about any adverse reactions.  For example, reactions that  occur with  food as well as liquid. Be mindful. many medications  have confusing names as well as look the same.  In the event that   there are possible side effects or adverse reactions from your medication, contact your health care provides ASAP.

Med-Q  medication pill box
Med-Q  medication pill box

Medication Management tips make life easier.

caregiver
  1.  Again, As you get older, the human body will metabolize medicine differently. Consequently, talk to your health care professional to make certain dosage are age-appropriate. Hence, making Medication Management tips easier.
  2. Always, keep the number of pharmacies and doctors that you visit to a minimum.  Med-Q Smart Medication Reminder recommends you use One pharmacy for all your meds.  This help to make communication easier to manage. Hence, making Medication Management tips make life easier.
  3. Conversely, find a system for remembering the correct time and dose of your medication that works and stick to it. To keep track of multiple medications, use a smart Medication Reminder or Medication Pill Box. Some pharmacies can even put the pills in the mart Medication Reminder or Medication Pill Box for you.  
  4. Set an alarm (Med-Q Smart Medication Reminder or Medication Pill Box ) or find a reminder telephone service to alert.  They will call each time your medication needs to be taken.
  5. Store your medications safely in accordance with the package inserts.  Most pills ought to be stored in a cool, dry, dark  places.  Finally, stored out of the reach of children.
Med-Q  medication pill box
Med-Q medication reminder or medication pill reminder

[cherry_sharing networks=”facebook,googleplus,pinterest,stumbleupon,reddit,twitter,linkedin,tumblr” style=”only-logos”]

Top  Medication Management tips

 medication pill box
 MED-Q medication pill box
  1. Storing Prescription  medication in the bathroom is usually not the best location. Light, heat and humidity will lower the medicine’s effectiveness.
  2. Discuss all medication changes with your primary doctor before one adds or stops any medications.  Furthermore, be sure to have a yearly appointments to talk to the doctor about medications.  Finally,  whenever a prescription or over-the-counter medication is added, find out why.
  3.  Do not use any medication.  Again, the same applies with over-the-counter pills.  To illustrate,  medicine will break down and lose it’s effectiveness over time.  Finally, be sure to take expired medicine can be placed in a sealed bag to the pharmacy for proper disposal.
  4. Nonetheless, never medication that was prescribed to others.  Again, not even  if your symptoms are the same.
  5.  Above all, check with your doctor before attempting trying to “catch up” on any missed doses.  Click here for other Medication Management tips.

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