Top reasons seniors aren’t taking medication properly

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Top reasons seniors aren’t taking medication properly

Top Reasons Seniors Aren’t Taking Medication Properly

Smart programmable pill dispenser is needed for taking medication properly

taking medication

First,  seniors aren’t taking medication properly.  There are many reasons.  From not using a smart programmable pill dispenser to cost issues..  Second,  many seniors will switch to natural remedies instead. For example, elderly men and women are choosing to take fish oil for their heart.  This is done instead of taking the  prescribed stains for controlling heart disease. Unfortunately, fish oil has not bee proven to t work for that reason.  In fact, an example of not taking pills that can prevent heart attacks.  To sum up, even more important for someone at high risk.

It’s great to use lifestyle changes and a healthy diet to improve overall health

This being said,  there are many times that prescription medications are absolutely critical.  The need is based off of a  serious type of  health condition.

Often times seniors will stop taking medication because they feel OK.  For example, seniors might  stop taking their prescribed medication as directed.  They will do this for several weeks.  The goal, see if they feel OK with put the meds.  They just want to  see what will happen.  If they feel good, the assumption is made that  the medication isn’t needed because it wasn’t doing a thing anyway.  Unfortunately, patients can not know that the medications to treat diseases like heart disease or high blood pressure just aren’t  working.  Why is this the case?.  Again, these kinds of conditions have no noticeable overt  symptoms. Hence,  finding out that the medication was vital when they experience a heart attack or stroke.  To sum up, now it is  clearly too late.
Prescription Medication can be very is expensive

Hence,  even if it’s affordable, many think it’s not worth the price. Individuals may feel like their health condition isn’t a big deal.  Hence, no need to spend money on medicine.  If the prescription is pricey,  people feel even more like;y not to be taking them.  Another example,  if money is tight right now, some will take less than the prescribed dose.  They are trying to  make the pills last longer.  In fact,  that just makes the medicine much less effective.  Less effectiveness means lesser outcomes.  In the short run, it might seem like not taking medication saves some money. However,  in the long run, it will  cost mush more in hospital and medical bills when a health crisis hits.

When seniors can’t take medication as prescribed

There are reasons for medication non compliance.  For example, the negative  side effects of some treatments.  Another example, having  financial difficulties that prevent your elderly mom from taking her medicine.  Be sure to talk to her  doctor right away.  A good health care professional will  help Mom find the right treatment and tell you where to go for financial help.  For example, there are programs that help with prescription costs

smart pillbox with alarm time
smart pillbox with alarm time

Use a smart programmable pill dispenser

Other  tips for convincing seniors with dementia to take medication is using a electronic pill dispenser or some type of pill reminder with alarms.  The new pill boxes will have personalized alarms to help remind that it is pill time.  Some of the best pill dispensers will use flashing LITE-BOX guides to show the senior which pills tom take,  It makes pill taking time into a game with a winner.  To sum up, a smart pill organizers is needed to  track of doses, and reminder the seniors not tot forget.

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Top reasons seniors aren’t taking medication properly

MED-Q smart programmable pill dispenser
MED-Q smart programmable pill dispenser

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.

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