Medication Management: Successfully Managing Your Senior’s Prescriptions in Asheville NC

By Jim Smeaton
Elderly individuals, particularly those who suffer from a variety of health conditions, often have several prescriptions at any given time. Managing these medications is an important responsibility that senior care providers hold, as it allows elderly individuals to benefit from their prescriptions through the correct dosage and administration. The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, who serve seniors in Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, understand that medication management can become an overwhelming task. Although it may be stressful at first, an organized approach will help you successfully manage your senior’s prescriptions.

• Make an effort to go to the same pharmacy to fill all of your elderly loved one’s medications. Doing so will accomplish three things. First, it will allow the pharmacy to maintain a running log of all of the medications your senior has taken, making it easier for them to detect any potential drug interactions. Second, it will make it extremely easy for another caretaker to perform medication management if necessary, as all records will be in one location. Third, using the same pharmacy will build up a relationship with a pharmacist that you trust, and to whom you can turn with any questions. 

• Store all of the literature your elderly loved one receives with their medication in one folder so it is easy to access. Additionally, keep any notes you may take during doctor’s visits in this folder as well. 

• Accompany your senior to the doctor’s office. If they are comfortable with it, join them during their appointment to ensure that you have clear directions in terms of how medications are to be administered. Additionally, ask about drug interactions and potential side effects, as well as the intended benefits of the recommended prescriptions. During each and every doctor’s visit, make sure that your elderly loved one is also able to ask all of the questions they may have. 

• Use a notebook or calendar to maintain a list and schedule for all of your elderly loved one’s medications. After each medication is taken, mark it off on the list to avoid over or under medicating your senior. This is particularly important if you are sharing care giving responsibilities, as it will make communication much simpler. 

• Monitor your senior and call for emergency healthcare immediately if you notice any drug interaction or adverse side effects. 

The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC understand that medication management is an important responsibility. If you need assistance in managing your senior’s prescriptions, these home care specialists are available to assist you in this task. 

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Always Best Care combines national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal service. The owner of Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville is Jim Smeaton. Jim and his team assist seniors and their families in western North Carolina by providing non-medical in-home care and FREE assisted living placement services. We have strong relationships with area hospitals, social workers, senior communities and senior resources throughout the area.  We have your loved ones’ best interests at heart, and will ensure that exceptional service and care is provided to all family members.

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If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton  and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.