6 Effective Strategies for Senior Medication Management - Frontier Senior Living

Dispose of Old Medications Properly

Your loved one might have been prescribed a medication for a specific purpose or condition that no longer needs to be treated. Or their doctor tried a drug that didn’t work well, so they choose an alternative one to use.  

Whatever the case may be, make sure that any medication that your loved one no longer takes or needs is removed from their home. While it is tempting to want to just dispose of old drugs by flushing, or throwing them in the garbage, this is not advisable.

The best way is to contact your local pharmacy and see what medication disposal resources are available where you live. In some cities, the local police department has drop boxes where unused medication can be disposed of safely.  

Store All Medication in One Place

Having bottles of medication located in various places around the home such as the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom is never a good idea, and usually leads to confusion for the senior taking them. Make an agreement with your loved one that they will keep all of their medicine in one central location in the house. Doing this will make retrieval of their prescriptions much easier.  

Purchase a Daily Pill Dispenser

A daily pill dispenser or pill organizer is one of the most practical medication management tools for older adults. These dispensers are often color-coded and have AM/PM sections, making it easy for seniors to keep track of their daily medications. Consider investing in a dispenser with multiple compartments to accommodate different dosages throughout the day.

Set Up Reminders and A Tracking System

Figure out the best way to remind your loved one when it is time to take their medicine each day. Whether that be an alarm on a cell phone or a friendly call from you, reminders can go a long way towards preventing missed medication situations.   

In addition, work out a tracking system that is easy to use, so that once your loved one takes their medication, they can easily document it on paper that it was done. This kind of tracking system is also a great way for family members to ensure that medication is being taken consistently.   

Communicate Regular and Check In

One of the most important things to do with regard to helping an older loved one with medication management is to frequently communicate with them about it. Talk to your loved one about how their daily medication routine is going, and see if they are having any difficulties with it. Being proactive will prevent any issues from becoming big problems down the road.