You’ve just been discharged from hospital with a whole list of medications, some of which look vaguely familiar to you but you just aren’t very sure. Do you make an appointment to see your GP to ask them to go through it all with you? Or do you try navigate through this medication maze on your own?
This is a scenario many of our seniors face. In fact, 36.9% of Australian seniors say that worrying about physical health keeps them up at night. It is extremely important that they are given appropriate support during this critical time and encouraged to seek help either from their doctor or pharmacist. They do not need to navigate their medication maze on their own. In fact, there are many potential problems that could happen if they were to do so.
Here are 5 common problems our seniors face when managing their medications on their own and some helpful tips you can help them try.
1. Establish a medication schedule
Help them create a table listing all their medications including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and vitamins. Include columns such as what the medication is used for and dosing directions from the doctor. Additional columns such as breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime can allow for easy visualisation of when medications need to be taken throughout the day.
Another helpful column to include is a comments column where any side effects can be recorded. The great benefit of a table like this is it sets it out nice and clearly to our seniors and they can easily take it with them wherever they go.
Setting timers or reminders on their mobile phones is a great way to help them remember to take their medications. Also keeping medications in a visible location can help remind them to take their medications.
A great service to utilise in the pharmacy after being discharged from the hospital is the in-store MedsCheck. The pharmacist can go through all the medications, what they are used for, possible side effects, how and when to take them, and answer any of your questions. They can even help build the medication table.
2. Make it clear which medication they're taking
It’s not always possible to get the same brand of medication. This could be because of stock availability, or different pharmacies carrying different brands. Hospitals also use different brands to community pharmacies so it’s a good idea to help your senior understand this.
In their medication table, include a column for the active ingredient and another for brands used. You can ask the pharmacist to help with this part. Also ask the pharmacist to put a label on the box showing the equivalent brand that they’re familiar with, particularly if they change the brand from the previous time.
3. Discuss any side effects they feel
Encourage them to speak to their doctor or pharmacist about the side effects they’re feeling straight away. If you have created a medication table with them, they can record it on the table to show their doctor or pharmacist. Never disregard possible side effects especially if a new medication or a new medication regimen has been started.
4. Only use the required number of tablets for the kit
Many people like to pack their own medications into weekly pill boxes. Whilst there are many benefits to this, there can be confusion between similar or same looking tablets. Only pop out the number of tablets needed to pack into the pill box, never pop out all the tablets from the blister. Store the remaining blisters in the original box so you can see exactly what medication it is and keep the instruction label provided by the pharmacy.
Remember, if ever in doubt, don’t include it in the pill box. You can bring the tablet to the pharmacy and the pharmacist has resources to help identify what tablet it is.
5. Build a reliable support network
Family can be the greatest support during this time. Helping them understand and manage their medications can provide them with confidence and reassurance in taking their medications.
Pharmacies also provide free services to assist with medication management. These include weekly Medication Packs, similar to the pill boxes but you don’t have to spend time packing it yourself. The pharmacist will check for interactions, double-up medications, keep track of your scripts and be in contact with your doctor if necessary. Unlike pill boxes, these packs are also blister sealed, protecting the tablets inside. They show what day of the week and time of the day the tablets have been taken so you can easily see if a dose has been missed.
Being discharged from hospital, not to mention being given a whole new list of medications can be a very stressful time for anyone, not just seniors. Families can provide the greatest support during this time by providing encouragement and helpful tips, or even just accompanying them to the doctor or pharmacy. Just remember, you and your loved one are not alone and need not navigate the medication maze by yourselves. There are many health support services in the community, starting from the pharmacy you get your medications from.