Pill Management Tips for Caregivers
January 26, 2017
Elder Care in Santa Cruz CA
If your elderly parent is like most seniors, they probably have a medicine cabinet full of prescription and over-the-counter drugs needed to keep them healthy and help ward off the symptoms of their health conditions. But with all of the things that are already on the caregiver’s to-do list, it can be a time-consuming and daunting task to keep all of your loved one’s medication organized.
With these tips, you will be able to organize the elder’s pills without becoming overwhelmed over this task.
- Use a pillbox. A pill organizer, also known as a pillbox, will help you easily keep the elder’s medication organized for each day of the week. This is done by having the first letter of each day on the lid of the box, making it effortless to stay organized. Pillboxes cost little to no money and can often be found at hospitals or drug stores.
- Create a list. Write down a comprehensive list of all prescription and non-prescription medications the senior takes. Doing so will ensure that no pill is forgotten. This information can also come in handy during doctor’s appointments and should include the name of the doctor who prescribed it, name of medication and dosage, its purpose, and any special instructions or comments the doctor may need to know.
- Utilize technology. There are a variety of apps available that will allow you to easily stay organized when reminding the elder to take their medication. These apps also come with a reminder to ensure the pills are taken at the correct time each day. The medication list can also be written in word or excel in order to easily access it on your smartphone through Dropbox.
- Get help. If you are like most family caregivers, you probably have your own job or family to care for aside from your caregiving responsibilities. This overwhelming to-do list causes medication reminders to slip your mind. A professional elder care provider can be hired to remind the elder when it is time to take their pills. Since you will no longer have to worry about this task, you will be able to spend your time on other things.