Convincing our loved ones to take medicine can be difficult as it could be a response to confusion or fear. Sometimes they may be convinced that they are not sickly. Older adults could feel agitated from the lack of control they have in their lives as family members take care of everything. 40% of older adults do not know the purposes of their medications so they do not take them as prescribed. Sometimes, the side effects of the medication can be too overwhelming for them, so it is important to speak to the doctor on a more suitable dosage. Convincing loved ones to take their medicine is extremely important as diseases can create resistance to the prescribed medication over time, and additionally, it takes a longer time to recover.
Take an Evaluation
Sometimes, our loved ones can have an underlying condition that affects their ability to follow the prescriptions. Conditions like dementia make it difficult for caregivers to administer medications. Having an evaluation allows professionals to look into other options and alternatives that can help our loved ones. Through this, it helps us understand if there is additional assistance required for our loved ones to make the experience of taking medication more bearable.
Update Medication List
Medication lists are important to keep track of the number of essential prescriptions needed. Updating the list can reduce duplications and complications when pharmacists dispense medicines. It is important to ensure that the list is comprehensive with all the prescribed and over-the-counter drugs. This process of updating the medication list acts as a safeguard against receiving the wrong medications. Taking ownership of our loved ones’ medications allows smoother doctor appointments as we are familiar with the medications they take and the side effects they have.
Find the Essential Medications
Working closely with doctors to reduce the unnecessary medications will help reduce the volume of medications taken. Many older adults do not take their medications due to the large number of pills they have to swallow. As such, it is crucial to reduce it to the bare minimum. Do check with the doctor if these medications can be administered once a day instead of every few hours as it can be a hassle to administer frequently.
Communicate with Loved Ones
Having a conversation on the reasons why our loved ones are unwilling to take their medications can be beneficial. It creates understanding and caretakers can be more tolerable of their aggressive behaviors. Ask them why they do not like certain drugs, whether it is the side effects or the difficulty in swallowing pills, and inform the doctor about it. This way, the doctor can offer a better solution that can make things easier for both the caregivers and the older adult. It is important to hear them out and try to reach a compromise so that it will be easier for them to take the medicine.
Perhaps it is time to consider assisted living? Residents of TerraBella Spartanburg’s senior assisted living program receive expert care services such as prescription management, mental health and footcare management, showering or bathing assistance, diabetes management, and more. Contact us to find out more.
