According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, “A person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may be prescribed multiple medications, and may take medications for other conditions as well. Medications are powerful. Care needs to be taken, especially when more than one medication is being used.” Use these safety tips to help avoid medication-related problems.
- Use a pill box organizer.
- Develop a routine for giving the medication.
- Use simple language and clear instructions such as, “Here’s the pill for high blood pressure. Put it in your mouth, drink some water & swallow it.”
- If the person refuses to take medication, stop & try again later.
- If swallowing is a problem, ask if the medication is available in another form.
- Make changes for safety. Keep in a locked, safe location to avoid accidental overdose. Throw out meds no longer being used or that have expired.
- Have emergency numbers easily available.
Looking for a way to clearly and confidently organize multiple medications and keep up with medication scheduling? There are fantastic resources available online or in phone applications to assist you with this vitally important task, some available at no charge. One is at the web address www.MyMedSchedule.com.
They offer a printable personal medication chart which clearly shows the times you are scheduled to take each medication, and how much to take. It also has options for large type or regular letter-size print, making the information easy-to-read. The site offers other useful organizational tools such as refill reminders, special instructions and dietary considerations, pictures of the pills, wallet sized charts, and helpful reminders.
Detailed medication lists are a convenient way to keep all of your healthcare providers up-to-date about what medications you take. This information is crucial to avoid dangerous drug interactions. Show your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist each time you visit. They will appreciate your assistance! Read more about it! http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-medication