Take Time During Talk About Prescriptions Month to Discuss Your Parent's Medications

When was the last time you talked to your parents about the medications their doctor prescribes? October is Talk About Prescriptions Month so join your parents for a conversation about their health. Here are some of the talking points to bring up.

Why Are They Taking These Prescriptions?

Do your parents need to understand why they’re taking a specific medication? If they’re not sure, it’s time to talk to their doctor to learn more. They need to understand why they take medication and the warning signs that the medicines aren’t protecting their health as much as hoped.

For example, your mom’s doctor prescribes iron supplements due to low red cell counts. Make sure your mom knows why she’s supposed to take the iron pills and what could happen if she forgets her pill one day. If she’s taking the supplements and still finds herself bruising easily or feeling heart palpitations, she needs to talk to her doctor.

Are the Pills Affordable?

Personal Care at Home in Beavercreek OH
Personal Care at Home in Beavercreek OH

Are your parents struggling to pay for the medications their doctor prescribes? It’s estimated that 24% of senior citizens have a hard time paying for their prescriptions. If they have to decide between groceries or their medicines, it’s time to ask their doctor or pharmacist if a cheaper alternative or program can help cover the cost.

Are There Foods or Beverages They Should Avoid?

Some medications cannot be taken with certain beverages. Their diet may need to change slightly, too. Drugs may need to be taken on a full stomach to avoid common side effects like nausea or vomiting. Others are more effective when taken on an empty stomach.

If your mom’s pills make her so queasy that she throws up, she’s lost the benefits her medication was mean to offer. Yet, her body could have absorbed some of the supplement, so she may not be able to take another pill until tomorrow.

Your dad’s on blood thinners following a stroke. If he takes the blood thinners while eating a lot of broccoli, the vitamin K in broccoli could be a problem. He needs to know how much broccoli and other vitamin K-rich foods are okay to eat each day.

Would Caregivers Help Them?

Use personal care at home services to ensure your parents are taking their medications on time and correctly. If they have a hard time remembering they cannot take a pill on an empty stomach, arrange to have caregivers help them with medication reminders.

Personal care at home helps with other aspects of daily living. Let caregivers help with transportation, meals, and housekeeping, too. Call to learn more.

Sources:
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If you are considering personal care at home in Beavercreek, OH, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts At Home of Dayton today at 937-558-9394.

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