•Use a notebook to keep track of
everything, including questions and corresponding answers, medications, recommendations, symptoms and test results.
Pay careful attention to all medications
Medication is often a critical component of a treatment plan, yet so many
struggle to follow medication regimens.
Research shows that over ;; percent of
Americans do not take their medications
as prescribed. Medication noncompliance, including skipping medication, taking the wrong dosage and taking
medication at the wrong time, leads to
thousands of adverse health events or
deaths each month in the U.S. To complicate the situation, up to ;; percent of prescriptions are dispensed with errors. To
make medication compliance easier:
• Always carry a full list of the patient’s
medications with you.
• Make sure each doctor has a complete list of medications, including over-the-counter drugs. Don’t assume doctors
know what other doctors have prescribed.
• When getting new medications, ;nd
out how and when the patient should take
them. It is vital that all medications are
taken as prescribed and all reactions are
recorded and reported to the doctor.
• Speak to the pharmacist if medications look unfamiliar.
• Use pill organizers and create a system to remind yourself when it’s time for
the patient to take medications.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
To help you cope with your role as a
caregiver, stay connected to family and
friends and don’t hesitate to ask for and
accept help. Think about your needs and
reach out to your community. Resist the
urge to become isolated or to think you can
do this alone.
It’s critically important to do the work
necessary to be an organized and involved
caregiver. Being an engaged member of
the medical team will help the patient have
the best outcome possible. It will also likely
provide you the peace of mind that you’re
doing the best you can. C
Roberta Carson is founder and president
of Zaggo Inc. ( zaggocare.org), a nonpro;t
designed to help caregivers.
THECOSTCOCONNECTION
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