Right Pill, Right Time – Care Recipients Manage their Medications
Guest article by Lisa Lavin
Today, millions of care recipients depend on a home aide or family caregiver for help with their medications. Managing multiple medications can be complicated and confusing.
Despite the widespread use of tools like lockable pill boxes and smartphone apps, it’s estimated that only half of patients take their medications as prescribed. In September of 2018, the American College of Physicians reported that medication non-adherence accounts for 30% to 50% of treatment failures and 1-in-4 hospital admissions.
Medication non-adherence directly impacts the senior population, wherein millions of seniors depend on a home care aide or family caregiver to administer medication. Managing the dosages and schedules of multiple drugs can be a complicated, confusing, and even stressful task for caregivers. As a result, part-time family caregivers often experience anxiety related to not knowing if their loved one has taken the right medication at the right time.
If you or someone you know is a caregiver, or if you’re concerned about medication management for a loved one or family friend, here are three strategies to help ensure they take the right medication at the right time.
1. Establish a routine and method of reminders.
A consistent care routine is the foundation of a successful, long-term care plan. Following a simple, memorable routine and reminder system can help aging loved ones remember to take their medications throughout the day, even if their caregiver can’t always be there to remind them.
2. Discuss the purpose of each medication.
A study on medication adherence strategies for seniors with diabetes revealed that patients were more motivated to take their medications once they understood the purpose of each drug and the benefits it could have for their health.
3. Maintain a direct line of communication to the care team or physicians.
New digital health and virtual care technologies are fundamentally changing the way people interact with health care providers. The right technology can give family and professional caregivers a way to efficiently and reliably communicate with each other to improve patient outcomes.
When taken correctly and consistently, medication can improve the health of aging loved ones. The right treatment plan can promote independence for patients managing chronic conditions at home. With the emergence and advancement of new technologies and care coordination tools, caregivers and patients are empowered to improve treatment outcomes, seek important information from providers, and maximize the value of their care. The right technology can address these issues and allow for loved ones to age gracefully and in their best health.
Lisa Lavin is the founder and CEO of Ōmcare. She has over 25 years of experience building new business from the ground up within healthcare and high-tech. Ōmcare is a digital health company pioneering products that enable remote care, while extending the reach of caregivers and redefining medication adherence.
Ōmcare video: https://youtu.be/AGSGSVaC2V0
