Caring for a loved one has many facets and involves a variety of tasks that are essential for their health, safety, and quality of life. One of the most critical tasks is keeping track of their medications. When caring for someone with dementia, this task can be complicated by the patient’s memory loss or confusion making it even more important for the caregiver to be clear about what is being administered. Here are the top five things every caregiver should know about managing medication:
1. Understand What Every Medication Is For
It is important to be familiar with every medication your loved one has been prescribed. This means you should know the name, dosage, and reason for every medication the person is taking. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications (especially pain relievers), vitamins, and supplements. Knowing what each medication is for helps you monitor their effectiveness over time and allows you to communicate clearly with healthcare providers about what you observe. You may be your loved one’s only advocate with their healthcare team, so if you are uncertain about what a medication is for, ask the doctor or pharmacist for clarification.
2. Keep an Up-to-Date Medication List
Making sure you have a current and accurate list of all medications is essential. This list should include:
- the names of medications
- their dosage
- administration information (e.g., timing, with food/no food, etc.)
- the prescribing doctor’s name
- any known side effects.
Since you should always have this list available for medical appointments or in case of an emergency, you may want to use a medication management app on your phone or keep a printed list handy. For patients with dementia, changes to medication regimens can happen frequently as symptoms progress, but up to date information is essential for everyone. Be sure to update the list immediately if there are any changes, but don’t delete anything so you are able to provide historical information if necessary.
3. Watch for Side Effects and Interactions
Many medications can cause drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, or even behavioral changes—especially in older adults. Be sure to review materials provided by the pharmacy about potential side effects and pay attention to any new symptoms you observe so you can share them with the healthcare provider immediately. For patients receiving care from multiple providers, be sure to ask about any potential drug interactions to avoid any dangerous combinations.
4. Create a Simple and Consistent Routine
Implementing a simple and consistent routine is helpful for everyone and is especially important for those with dementia. Make sure that medications are taken at the same time each day and under the same conditions (e.g., with food, on an empty stomach). Pill organizers, phone alarms, medication management apps, and visual charts can help ensure nothing is missed and provide reassurance for the patient and the caregiver.
5. Know What to Do in an Emergency
Though medications should be clearly labeled and stored securely, you need to be prepared in the event of an emergency resulting from a missed dose or an accidental overdose. Be certain that you understand when a missed dose can be made up or when it should be skipped. And keep the numbers for poison control, the pharmacy, healthcare providers, and emergency services readily available in case of an overdose or any other adverse reaction to a medication.
Medication management is one of the most important tasks caregivers take on and often one of the most overwhelming. By staying informed, organized, and proactive, you can help ensure your loved one’s medications do what they’re intended to do: support their health and well-being. An at home care provider can reduce the stress and overwhelm of medication management while offering support for your loved one and peace of mind for you. Visit Granny Nannies of Miami to learn more about how we can help.