What Is Medication Management and Why Is It Essential for Seniors?

Do you know that 90% of Americans 65 years and older take at least one medication to manage their health? In fact, the average senior takes over four prescription drugs regularly.

Keeping up with so many different medications can be confusing, especially for anyone with cognitive or memory issues. Not taking medication as prescribed by a doctor can lead to serious health outcomes such as poorly-treated symptoms, worsening health conditions, and even accidental overdoses. Medication mistakes are one of the common causes of preventable hospitalizations for seniors.

That’s why many seniors benefit immensely from in-home medication management services. To keep your senior loved ones safe and independent, Nurse Next Door McLean provides reliable home health medication management.

Call Nurse Next Door McLean today at (703) 774-9421 for compassionate in-home care

 What is Medication Management? 

Medication management is a coordinated process that involves:

• Understanding the doctor’s orders – To ensure your loved one receives the prescribed medication, in the right dosage, and on time
• Medication reviews and reconciliation – To check that the drugs are having the intended effect
• Communicating with prescribers – To report progress and determine if any changes are necessary
• Reminders and setting up pill organizers or dispensing systems – To help you stay on schedule
• Tracking patient adherence – To ensure that they are taking their meds as prescribed and not just “until they feel better”
• Monitoring for adverse reactions – To make sure there are no allergies, infections, or dangerous drug interactions 
• Physical assessment – To thoroughly assess the client’s vitals and other aspects of health from head to toe
• Medication administration at the right time, in the correct dosage, and in the correct manner – with food, before bed, etc. This includes giving IM injections or IV infusions.
• Educating patients and families – Keeping everyone on the same page and empowering patients and family caregivers to feel more involved in the overall health plan

Why Home Health Medication Management Matters for Seniors

Obstacles

Many seniors find it challenging to successfully manage their medications due to age-related issues:

• Cognitive decline makes it difficult to understand the doctor’s instructions or any dangerous drug contraindications. 
• Memory problems make it harder to remember when and how to take meds properly.

• Multiple medications with different scheduling can be overwhelming.

• Impaired vision makes the small print on prescription bottles problematic to read. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 out of every 3 adults with poor vision are seniors.
• Child-proof lids can be almost impossible to open for some patients with limited fine motor control due to arthritis, strokes, or spinal injuries. 
• Chronic conditions – Illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure require both medication and close monitoring. Many families find this kind of vital sign tracking difficult.

Risks

After exploring the answer to “What is medication management?”, let’s now consider some of the common medication mistakes and risks:

• Incorrect dosing 
• Adverse drug interactions 
• Worsening health conditions 
• Increased risk of falling 
• Readmission to the hospital 

Professional oversight, in the form of home health medication management, dramatically reduces these risks. Nurse Next Door McLean’s Registered Nurses (RNs) are well-trained, highly-qualified, and extremely experienced in medication management and administration at home. 

5 Benefits of In-Home Medication Management for Seniors

A Typical In-Home Medication Management Routine 

Knowing what to expect from your Nurse Next Door McLean RN eliminates miscommunication, reduces risks, and eases stress and confusion.

• Assessment of the patient’s health and medication 
• Communicating with physicians and pharmacists when required
• Organizing daily and weekly medications 
• Creating reminders and adherence systems
• Dispensing medications properly – correct dosage and intervals, as prescribed 
• Ongoing monitoring and adjustment 

Establishing a medication management routine is an important part of Nurse Next Door McLean’s approach. Keeping you safe and feeling your best promotes prolonged independence and your highest possible quality of life.

Benefits for Seniors and Family Caregivers 

Choosing professional medication management support is one of the best health decisions seniors and their families can make. Fewer medication errors means:

• Improved safety 
• Better control of chronic and temporary health conditions 
• Reduced hospitalizations
• Stronger communication between healthcare teams 
• Prolonged independence
• Peace of mind for families 

In-Home Medication Management from Nurse Next Door McLean

At Nurse Next Door McLean, we specialize in helping seniors with their prescription and over-the-counter medications so they can stay as healthy as possible.

As your most-trusted resource for home health medication management for seniors in Northern Virginia, Nurse Next Door McLean offers:  

• Registered Nurses (RNs) with extensive training,  experience, and expertise
• 24/7 support, including nights, weekends, and holidays, short- and long-term
• Real-time monitoring and updates 
• Compassionate oversight

If you have concerns about a senior loved one’s medication regimen, let Nurse Next Door McLean help. Call us at (703) 774-9421 today to book a free Caring Consult and develop a personalized in-home medication management plan.