Medication Reminders Are a Valuable Part of Care Giver Service
Taking medications as prescribed and directed by one’s physician can improve one’s well-being and ability to live independently. Because short-term memory loss is one of the initial symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, verbal reminders by care givers are critically important. By taking medications at directed, you:
- Lower the chances of hospitalization. For seniors, almost 3 of 10 hospital admissions result from incorrect use of medications.
- Avoid deterioration of health. Many seniors (estimates range from 10-25%) either take only part of their prescription medications or forget to take them all. Poor adherence can have serious consequences including increased discomfort, inadequate disease prevention and even death.
- Reduce the risk of falls. Thousands of seniors suffer hip fractures each year from falls caused by medication-related issues.
- Extend the time seniors can live independently. 25% of people who enter nursing homes do so because they are not able to manage their medications when living on their own.
Your pharmacist is an excellent resource when you have questions about medications.
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