Of the many responsibilities a family caregiver faces, possibly the most daunting is managing health conditions. The National Council on Aging reports that nearly ¾ of all seniors are diagnosed with at least two chronic illnesses, and they are seeing an average of four medical experts.
As your senior care advocate, it’s crucial to learn simple tips to communicate effectively with those from the older adult’s medical team and come to appointments fully willing to address any concerns. The following four questions are an excellent starting point:
Are all of the prescriptions necessary? With most senior loved ones taking several medications, you must keep a detailed list and occasionally review it with the doctor and the pharmacist. They should ensure there aren’t any duplications prescribed by different specialists or any contraindications between meds.
What unwanted side effects should we expect to see if prescribing something new? Evaluating the advantages vs. the potential risks for any new medication is vital, as there could be situations when troublesome side effects outweigh any positives. And if the physician offers a blanket statement such as, “Most people do not experience any difficulties with this prescription,” make sure to follow through for more information about those who DO experience problems.
What’s the best way to relieve pain and discomfort? We are all familiar with the opioid epidemic and the danger of addiction and other problems that come with taking prescription pain medications. Yet unaddressed pain may result in slowed healing and significant emotional stress, both for the individual experiencing pain and their caregivers.
If this was your mom, what would you do? Inviting the physician to step into your shoes is a beneficial method to gauge how you might want to proceed. There may, in reality, be less invasive or aggressive means to managing a problem that you may wish to check out first.
Contact the home care experts at Modern Health Home Care for additional advice on ensuring a senior you love receives the best possible care. We are here to help by:
Ensuring prescriptions are taken exactly as prescribed
Proactively monitoring for any changes in condition, such as medication side effects, and reporting them immediately
Preparing wholesome meals and encouraging to stay physically active to improve health
And so much more
To get started on improved quality of life for an older adult, give the experts in at-home personal care in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties trust a call at 215.995.2012 to request an in-home consultation.
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