Monthly Health Articles Archive

Managing your medication

Blood pressure medication, aspirin, antibiotics, vitamins, supplements…the number of pills that people take has grown over the years.  With the number of medications available these days, it’s no wonder that medication management is emerging as a top priority issue in home health care. 

Senior citizens are the largest consumers of both prescribed medications and over-the-counter drugs.  With an ever-increasing number of medications available, this age group is especially vulnerable to experiencing medication-related problems.

One of the many services that KRHC Home Health Care provides is medication management.  Home health nurses can organize pills on a regular basis and can work with health care providers to be sure that no adverse drug effects will occur with the combination of medications the patient is taking.
If you are taking a variety of medications, try these easy management tools at home or with a loved one.

First, use a daily pill organizer.  Pill organizers are helpful, especially if you are required to take many types of medication each day.  At Kossuth Regional Health Center each inpatient receives a welcome bag that features many small comfort items, including a one-week pill organizer.  Our hope is that people take these home and use it for as long as they need to or pass it on to a family member or friend that could benefit from utilizing a pill organizer.

The pill organizer is most effective when you create a “dosing schedule” of all your medications and keep this chart by your pill organizer.  It’s sometimes helpful to list the medication by name and by description, such as the “big white pill” or the “red capsule.”  Note what time of day you need to take the pills and any other key details, such as if the medicine needs to be refrigerated or taken with food. 
It is also a good idea to make a list of all your medications, including ones you take on a regular basis and those you take just as needed, such as painkillers or pills for nausea.  When you go to the doctor, always bring the list with you.  If you are aware of any allergies you have to medications, include this on the list as well.  It’s helpful to save this list on a computer so you can make updates or changes as needed and print extra copies for your doctor, pharmacist, or family members.

When refilling your pill organizer for the week, don’t forget to check your prescription labels.  It’s important to note the expiration date and refill information.  Don’t wait until you run out of a medication before calling your pharmacist to refill it.   By calling ahead you can avoid missing doses.

Managing your medication can be done on your own or with the help of a loved one, but if outside assistance is needed contact KRHC Community Health for more information about medication management through home health care at 515.295.4430.

-Dixie Meyer is director of KRHC Community Health