Adherence to a medication regimen is one of the most important parts of an older adult’s life. Unfortunately, there is a relationship between a person’s age and the amount of medications they are required to take. The older people become the more medication they need to maintain their health. Older adults have difficulty maintaining a medication regimen due to memory issues and visual impairment. Only 20-50% of older adults take medication as prescribed. When older adults do not take medication as prescribed, they are at great risk of developing new medical health issues or exacerbating the ones for which the medication treats.
One of the primary reasons why medication adherence is overlooked is due to lack of meaningful communication between older adults and caregivers. When caregivers are unaware of older adults’ medication management routine, they are unable to support them in adhering to the schedule. Many older adults prefer to live in their own homes in order to maintain an independent lifestyle. When this is the case, adult child caregivers should ensure that their parents are taking medication as prescribed. Although older adults might feel defensive at first, adult children can lay out medication each day to remind parents which pills to take at a particular time. Over time, caregivers can continue to increase the amount of support they provide the older adult regarding medication. For example, caregivers can count medication and monitor older adults taking the pills. If this is not possible, you may need to hire a visiting nurse or select a senior care living option such as Doolittle Home to administer the medication.
Meet Linda
Linda Faria, LPN Dedicated and caring staff member for over 12 years. "It's an honor and a privilege to work at Doolittle Home, where residents receive such quality of care. "
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About Doolittle Home
Doolittle Home is a private nonprofit retirement home providing extraordinary care for those 65 and older. Residents live within a beautiful home that looks and feels more like a comfortable New England Bed & Breakfast than a long term care facility. Doolittle Home also has a Supportive Nursing Care Unit for those residents needing additional care. We offer significantly more personal care than an Assisted Living Facility with a small resident to staff ratio. Up to 32 women & men can call Doolittle Home their home at any given time. Care options include Life Care, month to month and respite care. There are no hidden fees at Doolittle Home, including 24/7 nursing care. For more information about Doolittle Home call 508.543.2694 and ask for DeAnna Willis.
