Family members and caregivers must ensure that the elderly consume medicine appropriately
HAVE we as children or caregivers ever asked our parents or loved ones who have reached their golden years if they have problems taking their prescribed medicine?
The following are some of the common issues faced by senior citizens, and suggestions to overcome them.
1. Forgetting to take medicine at the right time
It is advisable for family members or caregivers to prepare and help administer medicine to elderly patients. One can use a medication box or pill container, where the caregiver can assist in filling the medication into the specified spaces with instructions on when and how it should be consumed.
To help aid the process, make use of convenient “prompts” available on mobile devices to alert the patient as to when to take medicine.
With advancements in technology, there are many mobile applications that can be used to store information on medicine, as well as act as reminders.
2. Failing to understand how to take medicine
In this situation, family members or caregivers can assist in preparing medicine every time it needs to be taken.
Again, use of the medication box or pill container will be very useful. In addition to this, stickers or pictures can also be used when it involves creams and ointments which may need to be applied to various parts of the body.
Apart from that, create a Medication Identification Chart. This chart will be handy not only for senior citizens to identify and understand their medication instructions but also for healthcare professionals to know the patient’s medication history.
Caregivers can seek help from pharmacists for guidance on creating such charts.
3. Poor eyesight
It is always advisable to take medicine in well-lit areas such as an area with an open window during the day or with the lights turned on at night. Senior citizens should always be advised to wear their spectacles when taking medicine to prevent medication errors.
4. Difficulty swallowing medicine
Most senior citizens overcome this problem by reducing the size of the medicine by halving or splitting tablets where possible. Some even crush their medicine. Always refer to your pharmacist if such a problem arises. Due caution is necessary as not all medicine should be broken into halves or crushed as it may alter its efficacy and therefore be less effective when consumed by the patient.
When made aware of the problem of swallowing, the pharmacist may discuss with the doctor so that a suitable alternative is prescribed or under certain circumstances, the medicine is prepared in a liquid form to aid swallowing.
5. Difficulty in splitting tablets
This problem frequently arises when there are instructions to take half of the dose of the tablet given. The practice of cutting tablets with kitchen knives is dangerous as it may cause injury to senior citizens.
Other than kitchen knives, some may also crack the tablets with their fingers or teeth. This practice must be avoided as it will cause uneven breakage resulting in an unequal dose and may also result in contamination to the medicine. Consequently, it may affect its efficacy and its therapeutic values.
The patient should be advised to use a tablet cutter to overcome this problem.
6. Easily deceived by salespersons selling health products
In recent years, those selling health products are targeting senior citizens, especially in rural areas. As a result, family members and caregivers must be aware of all medicines and health products that their parents are taking.
Senior citizens may not be exposed to information on products that are unregistered or adulterated with prohibited substances. Hence, it is vital for the younger generation to be proactive in getting valid information regarding such products from legitimate sources such as the official website of the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (www.npra.moh.gov.my).
They must play a vital role in protecting senior citizens from being deceived by false promises and dishonest testimonials. Senior citizens should also be made aware of how to obtain information on products to verify that they are registered with the Ministry of Health.
In conclusion, to obtain the best therapeutic outcomes, it is important to take medicines properly. If there are any questions with regards to medicine consumption among senior citizens, family members or caregivers can contact the National Pharmacy Call Centre from Mondays-Fridays from 8am to 5pm for further information and clarification.
*Article prepared by Shangeetha Selarajoo, pharmacist, Ministry Of Health Malaysia.