Researchers have found that getting older adults to take their medicine is a difficult task—even in those with life-threatening conditions. One study estimated that seniors only take half of the doses of the prescription medications they administer themselves. “Few people take all of their medications and many do not bother to take any,” said Dr. R. Brian Haynes.
There are many potential reasons why seniors might not bother (or be able) to take their medications. These include dementia, mental illnesses, depression or confusion. Plus, many conditions, such as diabetes, have very complex drug regimens.
Some seniors are stubborn against taking medicines, believing they are unnecessary. This can be especially true for medications that affect conditions that are relatively asymptomatic, like hypertension or hypothyroidism. Worse yet are drugs that are essential but come with unpleasant side effects. Finally, some seniors may adopt a state of mind in which they abandon hope that they will recover, and thus view taking medications as pointless.
How can caregivers remedy the situation?
Since up to half of seniors are unable or unwilling to follow a prescribed medication regimen, the only sure solution is continual monitoring of medications by a caregiver. Caregivers
are often more effective than families at medication reminders, since seniors tend to view
them as more authoritative than relatives. Plus, tasked with this duty, caregivers are more reliable at following through, since they keep daily records and are less susceptible to distractions or complacency.
The attention caregivers can bring to monitoring medications can also save lives by helping to avoid accidental dangerous interactions between multiple medications. Drug interactions are a serious concern for seniors. Almost 40 percent of all drug reactions reported each year involve people over 60. Caregivers can also be excellent at noticing and reporting any side effects a senior may be experiencing—including dizziness, constipation, nausea, sleep changes, diarrhea, incontinence, mood changes, or a rash—after he or she takes a drug.
Monitoring is critical
Why do so many seniors skip their meds?
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