Caregiver in Ashland OH
Many older adults suffer from at least one chronic health problem that requires them to take medication to sustain a healthy life. Caregivers are often needed to help these seniors with tasks they are no longer able to do, as well as providing the support and companionship elders are in need of. If you think about it, elderly care providers and pharmacists need to work together. After all, it is usually the caregiver who needs to constantly communicate with the elder’s pharmacist.
In order to provide the best care for your loved one, it is important both the caregiver and pharmacist are on the same page when it comes to the senior’s medication needs. These five tips will help both communicate and work together for the health and well-being of your elderly parent.
- Give permission for communication. It is against the law for pharmacists to contact the elder care provider without the consent of the senior. However, it is important both are able to communicate with one another because the pharmacist may have a question about the elder’s medication. Remind your loved one to sign a consent form that allows the caregiver to be the primary contact.
- Ask about cost-saving medications. Prescriptions can be extremely expensive, so the caregiver should ask the pharmacist about ways to save money. Some ideas include switching to generic versions of their medications or being eligible for certain programs.
- Alert the pharmacist of any drug reactions. The home care provider will spend much more time with the elder than anyone else, which means they will also be able to notice any severe side effects that may occur from certain medications. By informing the pharmacist of these side effects, they will be able to tweak your loved one’s medication.
- Makes it easier to stay organized. When an older adult has several medications that need to be taken at various times, it can be easy to accidentally switch them. To prevent this from happening, the caregiver should ask the pharmacist for ways to stay organized. They may be able to give the caregiver a pill organizer or suggest certain apps that will alert them when it is time to give your loved one their medication.
- Never guess. Sure, you or their elderly care provider may remind the elder to take a dosage amount that you believe is correct, but this is one thing you should never guess about. Make sure you fully understand the instructions for each prescription before leaving the pharmacy.
Pharmacists and caregivers are important people in the elder’s life, so it is important they also know how to work together as a team. With these tips, they will definitely be able to do just that.
If you are considering hiring caregiver services in Ashland, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161. Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.
Source: https://www.pbahealth.com/7-ways-pharmacists-can-help-caregivers/
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