Unintentional medication misuse—taking the wrong medication, taking more medication than prescribed, missing a dose, or discontinuing a medication early, among other misuses—costs billions of dollars each year in related admissions to hospitals.
Proper medication adherence can be a particularly big problem among older adults who take multiple prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, and also experience age-related conditions that interfere with taking their medication safely and as prescribed. In fact, studies show that 55% of seniors do not take their prescription drugs correctly. However, evidence suggests that, with the proper motivation, education, and support, elders can overcome many barriers to medication adherence.
The following are some common obstacles and solutions to medication adherence facing seniors:
Memory Loss: A major issue when it comes to medication adherence among elderly individuals is memory loss. People with dementia or Alzheimer's disease may forget to take their medications or even take multiple doses, having forgotten that they took the medication earlier. Tip: Make taking medication a part of another daily routine, and use pill dispensers and/or charts to stay organized.
Difficulty Swallowing Pills: Some older adults have difficulty swallowing, and may attempt to chew or crush pills, causing long-acting medications to be released into the body too quickly. Tip: Talk to the person's doctor or pharmacist to find out if the medicine is available in a liquid or smaller tablet form that is easier to swallow.
Vision Problems: A senior with impaired vision may find it difficult to read the directions on a pill bottle or distinguish between pills, leading to possible incorrect dosage and use. Tip: Request medication labels in a large print size or purchase a pill bottle magnifier. Electronic devices are also available, such as “talking pill bottles,” which play recorded messages of the instructions on the pill bottle.
Transportation Issues: Some elderly individuals may be homebound or are unable to drive or easily access transportation and cannot regularly pick up prescriptions. Tip: Ask the pharmacy about mail order prescriptions that can be delivered to the home, or hire an in-home caregiver, like those available through Independence-4-Seniors Home Care, to provide transportation to the pharmacy, as well as doctors’ appointments and other outings.
Independence-4-Seniors Home Care offers medication management services to help seniors overcome these obstacles, to keep them healthy and safe at home. Contact us at (630) 323-4665 for more information about our caregiver services available in Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will Counties. We hope to hear how we can help you or your loved one. In the meantime, we invite you to check out Independence-4-Senior’s online resources and other downloadable tools and tips on medication management on our website.