Assisted Living in Grand Prairie, TX: When Meds Become Confusing
Improving medication safety for seniors is a common concern. Older adults often take multiple medications, and memory decline can lead to problems. The CDC reports that 600,000 emergency room visits each year are due to people 65 and older who are harmed by incorrectly using medication.
Strategies like using a pill organizer, calendar, and reminders can help to a point. Assisted living in Grand Prairie, TX, is an effective and compassionate solution when medication management becomes an issue.
Grand Prairie is a friendly community with a small-town feel, minutes away from the amenities of the DFW Metroplex. Assisted living in Grand Prairie gives you peace of mind while supporting seniors' quality of life.
How to Improve Medication Safety for Older Adults
People over the age of 60 should be especially careful when taking medication. Seniors typically use multiple medications, which increases the risk of drug interactions and side effects. In addition, liver and kidney function tend to decline with age, which changes how the body breaks down medication.
Making a few small changes can improve medication safety for seniors.
Take Medication as Prescribed
A key tip for managing health aging is to take your medication as instructed by your healthcare professional. Be sure to ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain the details of any new medication, like:
- Number of doses per day
- Whether to take the medicine with or without food
- How to store the medicine
- Possible side effects
- What to do if you miss a dose
Taking the medicine for as long as prescribed is essential. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, the problem may return.
If you feel like a medication isn't working or is causing unpleasant side effects, talk to a healthcare professional. They may be able to find another solution.
Never take medication intended for someone else even if you've had the same or similar medicine. This could cause serious side effects or reactions.
If you have trouble swallowing pills or opening safety caps, ask the pharmacy for other options. You may be able to take a liquid version of the medicine. The pharmacy will usually give you medication in containers without safety caps upon request.
Keep Healthcare Providers Up-to-Date on Your Medication List
If you see doctors from different healthcare systems or have prescriptions filled at multiple pharmacies, keeping them up-to-date on your medications and supplements is essential. This helps ensure they'll notice any potential drug interactions or combinations that you should avoid. Keep a list of your medications with you in the event of an emergency.
Store Medication Correctly
Storing medicine correctly helps ensure that it works as intended. Most medications should be stored in a cool, dry place with a relatively stable temperature.
Be sure medicine is out of reach of children and pets. This is especially important if the medication doesn't have a safety cap.
Safely Dispose of Expired or Unused Medication
All medicine has an expiration date. After that date, it may weaken or degrade. It may cause unexpected side effects.
Discarding expired or unused medication helps prevent accidents. You wouldn't want to take it by mistake or for someone else to take it.
Don't throw medication away or flush it down the drain because water treatment can't fully remove it. You can dispose of medication at the Grand Prairie Police Department during their office hours.
How to Help Seniors Take the Right Meds
Medication safety for seniors depends on taking the right medicine at the right time. This can become confusing as people get older and have more medications. You can use several approaches to make medication management easier.
Pill Organizer
The traditional tool for organizing medication is a pillbox. Pill organizers have compartments for every day of the week and for morning, noon, and night if necessary. You can easily see if you've taken your medicine yet.
You can buy a pill organizer at most pharmacies, major retailers, and online retail sites.
Calendars, Alarms, or Apps
A chart or calendar can help track which medicine you should take when. You can set a timer on your phone, watch, or alarm clock. Depending on your comfort level with technology, a variety of apps are available for medication reminders.
Memory Decline and Meds
Memory decline can significantly impact the ability to safely manage medication. This is one of the most common signs of care need. Skipping doses, doubling doses, or taking the wrong medication can have extremely serious consequences.
Assisted care daily support could be what you or your loved one needs. Assisted living can be a good fit for people who are largely independent but need help with some activities of daily living. Care is available for medication management and other services, like help with dressing, bathing, and mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living in TX?
Medicare doesn't directly pay for assisted living because it doesn't cover care to help with activities of daily living. Services like doctor visits, screenings, and procedures are covered under Parts A and B, though. Medicare Advantage (Part C) may cover some non-medical services.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a good fit for people who are independent in many areas but need support with some daily activities. Assisted living won't be a good option for people with:
- Complex medical needs, like IV therapy or daily wound care visits
- Advanced cognitive impairment
- Significant mobility limitations
If you have questions about whether you or a loved one would be a good candidate for assisted living, reach out to your local assisted living community for more information.
Help with Meds and More in Assisted Living in Grand Prairie, TX
Assisted living in Grand Prairie, TX, can give you and your loved one peace of mind. You know that the right medication will be taken at the right time. Assisted living communities provide help in other areas as well if needed.
You can rely on Morada Grand Prairie for exceptional care and service. We create a personalized care plan for each resident. This ensures our residents' daily needs are met in a way that allows for as much independence as possible.
Schedule a tour of Morada Grand Prairie today to see how living in our community can lower your stress level and increase your quality of life.