A big part of senior care is managing medications. This is something that we’ve written about quite a bit in the past, but there are still a few easy to use methods that we have not covered.
Pill Containers: Everyone has seen those day of the week pill containers. There still around because they work. If you have an older loved one that takes pills several times a day, you can either buy several of these and label them yourself for different times of the day, or get one of the bigger ones that have several compartments per day. These are great because not only do they allow you to prepare medications ahead of time safely, they provide a way of confirming if the meds actually were taken or not.
Pill Packages: New companies and pharmacies are beginning to package pills together in disposable containers so that an entire dosage can be grouped together. You may have seen things like PillPack on the news. This is one of the companies getting a lot of press right now simply because they have a great alternative that simplifies medication for seniors (and everyone else, actually). This might not be a good fit for you or your family, but if medications are a concern of yours, it is worth taking a look at. Do get the opinion of your doctor and check with your insurance company before going this route as there are concerns and what you are looking for might not be covered yet by your policy. The simple solution that they provide is also something that you can do yourself, minus the delivery portion of things.
Reminder Service: With new technology will come applications toward senior care. Smart phones have certainly figure this out already and there are many services that cater to the elderly. There are apps that you can download that will send you reminders at the times you need to take meds. Some even offer real people calling you to give you that reminder verbally. These are great tools if you find them helpful. If not, they can be a waste of time and money. That’s up to you to decide.
Caregiver: A professional in-home caregiver has many duties, and one of them is providing medication on time without fail. Hiring a pro is important because they’ve been trained to know what to do with meds, and they also know the repercussions when meds are not given correctly. The caregiver fulfills all of the purposes listed above, but with a loving face to go behind the service. This is something that no app or pillbox will ever be able to provide. Couple this with the other duties they fulfill, and you have an indispensable service. If you have an elderly loved one that needs assistance with things beyond medication reminders, in-home care should be one of the first things you consider when thinking of their needs. This is the least invasive, simplest kind of care there is, so it’s a good first choice when you are in the beginning stages of your senior care search for your family.
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