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March 10, 2016
Title: Tips to Avoid Medication Mistakes
Topic: Medication Mistakes
Discussed by Gregg Gomez-Mira
with Home Instead Senior Care (www.HomeInstead.com)
Part 1 of 2
10,000 people turn 65 every day. Many senior citizens
take over four medications every day, not including supplements or vitamins.
Over-medicating or taking the wrong medications together has become a major
issue for all Americans, not just the elderly.
Gregg Gomez-Mira is with Home Instead
and has some great tips for seniors or those taking care of their elderly
parents. In this first segment, he reveals some startling statistics regarding
over-medication. For example, over 100,000 seniors are hospitalized every year
due to complications with medications.
“Medication management is one of the primary focuses on keeping people in
their home longer,” Gregg states. If a person needs hospital care because
of medication mismanagement, it makes it harder for him or her to be
independent. Gregg recommends that everyone know what medications they are
taking, why they are taking it, when it should be taken, and the side effects.
Gregg also says that using a “pill organizer” is vital for every person, no
matter how many pills you take each day.
Gregg also suggests appointing one doctor for all medication prescriptions. This
may be hard when you see two, three, or even four different doctors for various
reasons. Gregg says, “Having one doctor responsible, usually the primary
care physician, makes it a lot easier to facilitate conversations.”
IMPORTANT: Do not rely on your pharmacist to remember what
medications you are currently taking when a new drug is being recommended.
However, always make sure you discuss the issue with your pharmacist. Listen in
as Gregg explains more.
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Title: Part 2 of 2 - Tips to Avoid Medication Mistakes
Topic: Medication Mistakes
Discussed by Gregg Gomez-Mira
with Home Instead Senior Care (www.HomeInstead.com)
Maintaining a “pill schedule” can be tiresome for anyone, no matter
how old you are. Even parents with children or teenagers who must
take several medications a day can benefit from knowing about the dangers of
medication mismanagement. Gregg says, “This is not just a senior issue.”
Listen in as he explains more about patients with dementia, diabetes, or even
vision problems.
It’s also very important for adult children or grandchildren who are assisting
an elderly parent or grandparent to be fully involved in the management of
medications. Make sure your loved one is taking their medication properly – with
or without food, at the right time of day, etc. In addition, Gregg suggests
visiting your loved one several times a week to make sure daily tasks are being
maintained, such as paying bills, housework, and a clean refrigerator.
If you or a loved one, such a parent or grandparent, is aging and would like
more information about Home Instead, please click
here. They are committed to
enhancing the lives of senior adults and their families through quality,
specialty in-home healthcare.
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