Caregiver Support: Take Medicines Safely
As a caregiver, you have many jobs throughout the day. One of the most important is working with doctors and other health care professionals to learn more about taking medicines safely.
People age 65 and older take more prescription and over-the-counter medicines than any other age group. Along with taking a variety of medicines each day, it’s important to keep in mind that each medicine reacts in a different way. Combining two or more together may give you a completely different affect, so it’s important to track everything you take. 
Start by keeping a log of all medicines the person you are caregiving takes during the day.
When you meet with the doctor, ask questions like:
- Does this medicine need refrigeration?
- What’s the best way to store this medicine?
- Can I use a generic form of this prescription?
- What is the purpose of this medicine?
- What results should I expect? How quickly?
Once you understand how your prescription medicine works, its time to find out how it works together, and with over the counter medicines as well. Check with your doctor, or ask your pharmacist. They have a wealth of information on side affects and how different combinations of drugs work together.
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice on anything you don’t understand, or when starting to take a new drug. It’s better to be safe, and completely understand what you are taking before you subject your body to unwanted side affects.
As a caregiver, make sure you stick to a timeline. Also check whether medicines should be taken with or without food; scheduling them with meals may help you and the person you’re caregiving for remember them easier. In some cases medicines can be broken or crushed before taking, but check with your pharmacist.
