1. Check the label when you receive a prescription to be sure that you receive the appropriate medication. Read back the medication to your pharmacist and doctor.
2. Keep all prescription in original containers.
3. Contact your health care provider or druggist if you have any questions about missing a dosage.
4. Always fill your prescriptions at the same pharmacy.
5. Read the patient information that comes with your prescriptions.
6. Inform the pharmacist right away if there is a change in the shape, color, size or smell of your medication.
7. Don't take or share another person’s prescription.
8. When in doubt about a medication you are taking, consult your pharmacist and doctor. Be sure to ask about side effects that you might experience or expect.
9. Construct a list of the meds you are taking and present a copy to your Care Giver and family members. Your list ought to include the following information:
- Your full name, social security number and date of birth. The Pharmacy needs this information when someone else is going to refill the prescription without the client there too. Your social security number and date of birth should be kept on a different sheet to safeguard against identity theft.
- Prescription name (the drugs being taken, both generic and brand)
- The strength (dosage)
- The directions for taking the medication, including how many times a day and when the prescription should be taken
- What liquids or foods are being used to take or should be used to take with medications, for example, water, juice, apple sauce etc.
- Allergy symptoms to certain medications or foods
- Pharmacy and health care providers names, addresses, contact numbers
- Family emergency contact numbers
10. If you are in skilled nursing or a hospital:
- State your name before taking any meds and always present your wrist bracelet for identification. Ask the doctor or nurse to identify each prescription by name before you take it.
- Ask your doctor or nurse why your prescription has not been given at its regular time during your hospital stay.
If your medication was prescribed in the hospital, watch out for new side effects. If you experience new side effects or your condition is not improving as it should, tell your nurse or doctor. Every now and then medications need to be changed when they are not performing properly.
Ask the doctor how long your particular prescription will be required. On occasion prescriptions are added in the skilled nursing facility or hospital for a temporary condition, but when you leave the hospital for skilled nursing or your home, the prescription isn't stopped. A different doctor may be reluctant to stop or change a prescription from a different medical doctor.
- Remind the doctor if you have any allergies to certain meds or food, or if you also have a health condition that could affect the use of certain prescriptions.
1. Tell your pharmacist if you are taking any dietary supplements or over-the-counter prescriptions.
2. Make sure your CareGiver has a current prescription log listing all prescriptions, Doctor’s name, and Pharmacy.
Make sure to only take prescriptions that you really need and verify with your medical doctor why you are taking it, how long you could need it, what side effects to watch out for, and that it won't conflict with any other prescriptions you may be taking.
In the Phoenix area Care-To-Go, an in home care company can assist you with your medication organization. Care-To-Go also provides complete in-home care elder services. Contact Care-To-Go at 800-818-0407
Author Resource:
Captain Gable is a freelance writer featuring airline articles as well as Elder Travel and Home Care Articles. For more information see http://care-to-go.com and http://caretogotravel.com
Here are a series of articles and information gathered from 35 years airline experience and over 30 years of family home care caregiver experiences.
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