Tips for Practicing Medication Safety at Home

As we step into our golden years, we require more prescription medications and supplements to maintain our health. Polypharmacy is common among older adults, with roughly 87% of seniors taking one prescription medicine, 36% taking five or more, and 38% using over-the-counter medications.

However, taking several medications also increases the chance of side effects and complications when failing to take them as prescribed. As a provider of home health care in Middletown, New York, we will share simple yet effective tips for practicing medication safety at home:

• Take medications as prescribed.
  Take your medicine according to your health care provider’s recommendations or instructions. Avoid skipping doses or stop taking medications without consulting your provider first. When taking over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements, discuss them with your physician first to avoid complications.
• Monitor side effects and potential drug interactions.
  Keep a detailed list of your medications that include the brand and generic name, dosage, and instructions provided by your physician. Keeping a list also helps keep track of side effects and any potential drug interactions with specific foods, drinks, or supplements.
• Seek additional assistance.
  To ensure medication safety at home, there is also the option of receiving nursing care through a home health care provider. In addition to wound care and IV therapy, a licensed nurse can assist with medication administration and management at home.

Heartbeat Health & Homecare Agency LLC is a leading provider of home health care services in New York. With our goal of providing high-quality, individualized home health care services in mind, we offer a range of services to meet your needs. Browse our site or call us to learn how we can support you.