For most older folks, medication is required to manage significant health issues and improve their quality of life. However, there may also be problems or side effects for every medication that family caregivers have to be aware of. If you are taking care of your parents in their older age you need to understand what medication problems happen in older age.
Although professional in-home caregivers can’t handle medications, they can help look for any side effects. This can be especially useful when working or not around your seniors. In-home care providers are also great options for kids who live too far away to see their older parents. If you have not considered getting extra help, think about interviewing and hiring. Medications can affect seniors in many different ways and getting extra care to watch for any bad interactions can keep your seniors safer. Here are a few problems seniors can experience because of medications.
Worsen Thinking and Balance
In-Home Care Hollywood, CA: Medication Problems
Several widely prescribed drugs have cognitive and balance-impairing side effects. This can be a significant problem for seniors who already are at risk of falling a lot. Things like anti-depressants or sedatives may be the greatest risk for seniors.
Symptoms That Don’t Improve
Sometimes underlying problems may cause a senior to have symptoms, and the medication doesn’t impact the senior like it should. When physicians begin prescribing a medication to an older adult to address a particular health issue, they will determine a specific dosage. However, they seldom follow up to see whether any modifications are necessary to adequately treat the symptoms. It can be essential to encourage your seniors to go back to the doctor if this happens.
Drug Interactions
Older adults may take several medications and forget to tell doctors. Most doctors will have accurate notes on their patients, and it won’t happen often. However, it can happen, and it may even happen with over-the-counter drugs or foods a senior eats regularly. It is essential to ask the doctor if there are any medications or foods a senior should be avoided to minimize this risk.
Some Drugs Have a Stronger Effect
Senior citizens’ bodies digest drugs differently than younger citizens’ bodies. As a result, medicine may sometimes have a greater impact than predicted. Medications like lightheadedness and dizziness can be caused by blood pressure medication, and diabetes medication can accidentally lower blood sugar too much.
Not Taking Medications At The Right Time
Many seniors struggle with taking their medications at the right time. This can lead to ineffective medications or symptoms not being managed properly. If you are looking for someone to remind a senior to take medications and help manage their schedules, an in-home care provider might be one of your best options. They can help create routines for seniors, and in return, it helps your parents stay healthy.
One of the best things a senior can do is continue to get regular checkups and have open communications with their doctor. If they have been on medication for a while, but there are still bad symptoms, it is time to encourage a senior to go back to their doctor.