Accidental poisoning can put your aging parent at serious risk. Each year throughout the United States there are more than 2 million instances of accidental poisoning and a large percentage of these are medication related. Taking medications incorrectly, combining medications incorrectly, or taking too much of a medication can all lead to accidental poisoning. Being fully informed about their prescriptions and how they are meant to take them can help reduce the risk that your aging parent will suffer this type of dangerous accident.
Some questions to ask your parent’s doctor about their prescriptions to reduce the risk of accidental poisoning include:
- What is the name of the medication?
- Is this medication ever referred to by any other name?
- What does the medication look like?
- What type of medication is this?
- Is your senior allergic to any of the components of this medication?
- What is the purpose of the medication?
- How much of the medication should your parent take each dose?
- When should your parent take their medication?
- How should your parent take their medication?
- Are there any medications that your parent should not take with this prescription?
- What should your parent do if they forget or miss a dose of their medication?
- Are there any substances that your parent should not consume or use with this prescription, such as certain foods or beverages?
- What side effects are normal for this medication?
- How many refills does this prescription allow?
Medication reminders can also play a critical role in protecting your parent from medication-related accidental poisoning. Reminders from you and from an elderly care provider can help your parent to take their medication when and how they are meant to, and to avoid behaviors that could be dangerous, such as taking prescription medications with others that are dangerous or combining them with foods or beverages that are unsafe.
If you have been looking for ways to encourage your parent to live to their fullest during their later years, now may be the ideal time for you to start elderly care for them. There is a common misconception that elderly care is only for those who are extremely old or who have extensive and severe needs and limitations. While these people certainly benefit from having elderly care, those who are younger or still maintain function and independence can also benefit largely from the highly personalized services provided by such a care provider.
The services of an elderly home care services provider can address your parent’s needs while also helping them to stay active, keep their mind sharp and responsive, support health and well-being, and encourage high quality of life and independence as they age in place.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elderly Care in Berkeley, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
Source:
- Do You Need Help with Personal Care for Your Senior? - September 16, 2019
- Causes and Risk Factors for Shingles in the Elderly - September 12, 2019
- Five Reasons Your Senior Might Need a Daily Routine - September 5, 2019
