The majority of senior citizens take at least one or two medications every day to deal with various health conditions. However, not all of them take their medications as directed. This is indeed a big problem and can worsen their health problems. If your elderly loved one hasn’t been taking his or her medication correctly, it’s time to intervene.
Here are some of the most common reasons why seniors don’t take their medication:
Negative Side Effects
Medications are designed to treat various health conditions and make us feel better. Unfortunately, they come with unpleasant side effects. For example, your loved one may take medication that makes him or her feel drowsy. No one likes to feel tired all day, so your family member may avoid taking the medication sometimes. Or maybe your loved one’s medications make him or her feel nauseous. If your loved one is experiencing any negative side effects from medication, there may be ways to alleviate them. For instance, if your family member’s medicine causes nausea, advise him or her to take the medication with a meal.
Poor Memory
If your loved one’s memory isn’t as good as it used to be, he or she may sometimes forget to take medication on time. Your family member may also lose track of medications if he or she has to take several every day. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help your loved one remember to take his or her medication. For example, you can get your family member pill organizers or set an alarm reminders on a smartphone or tablet. You can also hire a home nurse to come to your loved one’s home every day to administer the medications.
Denial that a Health Condition Exists
It’s actually not that uncommon for some elderly people to be in denial about their medical conditions. Even after being diagnosed by a doctor, they might not believe that anything is wrong with them. If your loved one denies that a medical conditions exists and hasn’t been taking his or her medication, it’s time to talk to him or her about. Calmly explain that the medicine is designed to help him or her feel better and slow down the progression of the disease. Let your family member know that not taking the medication can worsen his or her condition.
Unpleasant Taste
Some elderly people may not take their medications simply because they hate the way it tastes. If this is the case with your loved one, you should figure out if the medications can be taken with food. If they can, mash the medication up with food so that your family member doesn’t taste it.
If you’re concerned that your elderly loved one hasn’t been taking his or her medication correctly, consider hiring a home care nurse. This healthcare professional can come to your family member’s home and give him or her the medication.