Managing Medications for Seniors: Tips to Stay Organized and Safe

Did you know that 40% of older adults take five or more medications? If you're balancing multiple medications, it's critical to ensure you're taking the right one at the right time. Or, if you assist a parent or older loved one, you'll want to know the best strategies to help them stay organized.

Read on to learn tips for managing medications for seniors!

Know the Importance of Elderly Medication Organization

Medication management for seniors should start with understanding the implications of medication mismanagement. What is the impact of taking a dosage that is too high or too low, for instance? And what can happen when certain drugs interact?

Research the implications of taking a drug on the wrong schedule or at the wrong dosage. You'll need to understand that improper medication use can cause issues like:

• Adverse symptoms and side effects
• Inadequate absorption of the medication
• Addiction

Make notes of any medications with particularly difficult side effects. And be aware of which medications could cause the most harm if not taken according to the prescription's instructions. When in doubt, reach out if you mistakenly miss a dosage or take too much.

Make a Medication List

When it comes to senior medication tips, a big one is to start with a list. Simply writing down what you're responsible for taking can help determine the next steps from an organizational standpoint. On your list, include:

• Medication names
• The name of the prescribing doctor
• Dosage amounts and frequency
• Contact information for your pharmacy
• Other pertinent instructions

A list can serve as a resource when you have any questions about a particular drug. Or you may need a quick visual reminder for dosage amounts when you move into a living space in a new community.

You can use a medication list to help track inventory, too. Plan on updating it as your medication needs change. And if you ever question whether a certain medication should still be taken, always refer back to the list for verification.

Use Strategies to Maintain a Schedule

Especially as medications mount, knowing when to take each one can get tricky. However, you don't want to take chances when it comes to medication schedules. That's why it's so vital to create a clear and visible schedule for medication intake.

One of the best solutions is to commit to a strategy or two. After all, you might misplace your phone or lose a physical chart. You can:

• Use medication reminders on phone calendars
• Try a medication app
• Turn to color-coded charts

Audible reminders, like an alarm on a cellphone, are an excellent solution. They can be programmed to go off at the same time each day to help create consistency. Apps can function in a similar capacity and send alerts.

For some, tactile charts work best. Posting a color-coded chart on a refrigerator door, for instance, can be the ideal visual. You also can use the chart to check off each dose as you take it.

Other options include using a whiteboard that's posted in a commonly-used space, like a kitchen. With a whiteboard, it's easy to map out your medications and erase them as needed. Some whiteboards come with built-in calendar designs, too, to simplify the process even further.

It never hurts to inform family members about your current medications, either. They'll be a trusted source to remind you about dosages or specific medication instructions.

Choose an Organizational System

When managing prescriptions, it's best to commit to an organizational approach that works for you. There's not one perfect way to do it, but for many in senior living communities, pill boxes are a go-to solution.

With a pill box, you'll place particular medications in compartments according to when they should be taken. For instance, there may be a Monday compartment with sections for morning and evening dosages. You'll find other compartments corresponding to the other days of the week, as well.

Keeping pills in one contained and organized box can be helpful. You won't need to reach into different drawers or cabinets to find your daily dosage requirements. Pill boxes can come with other helpful qualities, such as:

• Large-print labels for those who are visually impaired
• Color-coded sections
• Compartments that are simple to access

Before sorting pills into compartments, it's wise to do your research first. For instance, certain medications cannot be stored safely in the same compartment without causing issues. You'll want to factor in these important considerations as you begin sorting your medications.

Take Inventory of Medications

Over time, you may end up with leftover doses of medications sitting in your bathroom drawers. Some medications may be expired. And others may not apply to current health conditions.

As a result, it's essential to check your medication inventory routinely. You should remove expired or unnecessary medications to avoid creating any confusion. In doing so, you'll also free up space to house other important items in your home.

Many over-the-counter medications can be thrown away. However, there are other removal options to reduce the risk of medications falling into the wrong hands. These options include:

• Reaching out to your pharmacy
• Finding a drug take-back location
• Flushing medications

Whenever possible, enlist a caregiver to help with this process. They can go through medications with seniors every month or two to make sure old ones are removed. A caregiver will also be able to update medication lists or ask critical questions to ensure they're aware of their medication responsibilities.

Start Managing Medications for Seniors

Managing medications for seniors doesn't have to be a challenging ordeal. With routine inventory checks and a clear organizational system, it's possible to stay on top of medications. Make a medication list and schedule to help the senior in your life with safe medication practices.