Avoid Three Common Caregiver Medication Mistakes
Managing the wide array of medications an older loved one takes is one of many family caregivers’ primary responsibilities. But this can be a complicated task – and mistakes can happen when you least expect them.
Have you made one of the three most common medication mistakes?
Medication Mistake #1: Making Pills Easier to Swallow
Check with the pharmacist before you change a pill in any way. Certain medications given once a day, for example, are designed to have a timed release that occurs gradually throughout the day. Crushing them or cutting them in half could alter the way the drug is released, resulting in the person getting too much at once or none at all. If swallowing pills is a problem, ask the pharmacist if the medication can be provided in a smaller tablet or in a liquid form.
Medication Mistake #2: Filling a Pill Organizer Incorrectly
A 2011 study by Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine found that 60 percent of caregivers made errors when sorting medications into pillboxes, which speaks to just how complicated sorting multiple drugs with various timings for delivery can be.
Consider asking the pharmacist if he or she will sort the pills for you when prescriptions are filled. Some will do this routinely, while others will demonstrate it a few times to show you the best way to get started.
Medication Mistake #3: Storing Medications in “Typical” Places
Many people routinely store their medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet, but temperature changes and moisture levels can alter the medication once it is opened. Be sure to read the packaging on prescription medications for storage instructions.
Katie Gilstrap is cofounder of Lift Caregiving.
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