Of all of the many responsibilities a family caregiver faces, potentially one of the most daunting is managing health issues. The National Council on Aging estimates that nearly three quarters of all seniors are clinically determined to have at least two chronic illnesses, and they are seeing on average four healthcare specialists.
When advocating for a senior loved one, it’s essential to know how to communicate effectively with those on the senior’s medical team, and to arrive at appointments thoroughly prepared to address any and all concerns. The following four questions are a great place to start:
Are all of the prescriptions necessary? With most aging parents taking numerous medications, you will want to keep a detailed list and occasionally review it with the doctor and also the pharmacist, each of whom should be able to make sure there aren’t any duplications prescribed by different specialists, or any contraindications between meds.
If prescribing anything new, what unwanted side effects might we be prepared to see? Evaluating the advantages vs. the potential risks for any new medication is very important, as there may be situations when difficult side effects overshadow any positives provided. If the physician shares a blanket statement such as, “Most patients don’t encounter any problems with this prescription,” be sure to follow through for more information about people who DO experience problems.
What is the simplest way to reduce pain and discomfort? We’re all conscious of the opioid epidemic, and also the threat of addiction and other considerations which come with taking prescription pain medications. However, unaddressed pain and discomfort can lead to both slowed healing and considerable emotional stress, both for the senior experiencing pain and his or her caregivers.
If this were your mom, what would you do? Inviting the doctor to step into your shoes is normally an extremely helpful method to gauge the way you may choose to move forward. There may, in fact, be less invasive or aggressive methods to managing a problem which you might wish to investigate first.
For additional suggestions for making sure an older adult you love obtains the best possible care, contact the home care experts at Independence-4-Seniors Home Care. We’re here to help with:
- Accompanying seniors to healthcare appointments and procedures and ensuring that concerns are addressed
- Ensuring medications are taken just as prescribed
- Proactively monitoring for any changes in condition, such as medication side effects, and reporting them promptly
- Preparing wholesome meals and offering encouragement to stay physically active to improve health
- And so much more
To get started on an improved quality of life for a senior, simply reach out to us online or at (630) 323-4665 to learn more about our DuPage County home care and schedule an in-home consultation.