Medication Safety for Seniors

Senior Medication Management  |  November 9, 2018

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Medication Safety

Medication Safety for Seniors | Safety in medication management is critical for older adults who want to continue living independently. Older loved ones may depend on their medication to maintain good health and must take the correct dosage at the right time. Incorrectly taking medications may be harmful, or even lethal. So, what can you do to help a loved one?

Four Tips for Medication Safety for Seniors:

Tip #1. List Meds:

Construct and maintain a list of all the medications your loved one is taking. Update it regularly and note the reasons for, or symptoms required, before taking each medication. If you’re not sure of its importance, make a call to their prescribing doctor.

Tip #2. Understand the Meds:

Know the purpose of each prescribed or over-the-counter medication and how it can be expected to treat or manage symptoms. Write down the possible side effects, too. Note any symptoms previously observed before the prescription and any side effects that occurred in the past. When symptoms improve or there are side effects, the treatment plan may need re-evaluation.

Tip #3. Be Aware of Medication Overages:

Keep on the watch for any signs that your aging loved one is becoming overmedicated, especially if he or she has diabetes or high blood pressure. Unfortunately, it’s all too common that older adults receive higher doses than necessary. Don’t hesitate to call for immediate medical help if there’s concern that someone has overdosed on their medication.

Tip #4. Drug Interactions:

Watch for any drug interactions, since so many elderly people are taking multiple prescription medications. You can search online for free drug interaction checkers or call the doctor or pharmacist for advice if you’re not sure about drug safety.

Comfort Keepers® can relieve your medication safety concerns with caregiver services. Our caregivers won’t administer the medication but can offer your loved ones reminders of their correct dosages and times to take them.

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elder Care!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with retirement care, 24-hour care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers®’ are trained caregivers who help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. 

Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality: empathy. Empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Home Care Edmonton

To learn more about senior care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office to discuss our unique service offering. If you live in Devon, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact Comfort Keepers at 780-465-4665.

Is Invoicing Modelling and Client Direct Home Care the Right Option for You?

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Recently awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada, our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services, clearly demonstrating Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

Share This Post: