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® Edmonton is Proud to Offer a Wide Range of Home Senior Care Services

Our trained caregivers will ensure your loved one is comfortable, independent and safe in their home. On top of that, we will also aim to enhance their overall health, quality of life and general happiness. 

Top-Notch Home Healthcare for Seniors in Edmonton, Alberta

Comfort Keepers of Edmonton offers a broader range of senior care services. We offer retirement care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, and senior living transition services. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can provide 24-hour care and more!

Helping Seniors Age-in-Place with Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s needs. Our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind, empathy. We strive to stimulate our clients emotionally, mentally and socially, thus enhancing their overall quality of life. 

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). The system increases seniors’ sense of well-being, independence and companionship by focusing on Senior Mind, Senior Body, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Safety.

Affordable and Client-Directed Homecare is Available for Qualifying Albertans

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

What is the Client Directed Home Care Invoicing Program (CDHCI)?

CDHCI is a great program provided by Alberta Health Services (AHS), allowing clients to choose an approved agency like Comfort Keepers Edmonton for Personal Care, Respite Care and Homemaking needs. The chosen agency can then bill AHS directly for services rendered for approved hours through Alberta Blue Cross. Read more about the program HERE.

Accredited Home Care Edmonton

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. This honour demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton, AB.

To learn more about senior in-home care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office. Our service territory includes Edmonton, Devon, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office at 780-465-4665.

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