Aging in place allows older adults their desire to remain independent and in their own homes. It has become a popular strategy for many among the aging Baby Boomer generation. Of course, with the decision to eschew traditional eldercare, many challenges can arise.
Proper medication practices are a key component of a long and healthy life. As medicine advances, older adults are able to better stave off the negative affects of aging and remain independent for longer. However, improper dosage or forgetting certain medications can have serious negative consequences.
A survey conducted by Medco Health uncovered some alarming statistics about older adults' medication discipline. More than half of older adults take more than five different medications a day, and a quarter are prescribed between 10 and 20 pills per day. Unfortunately, three out of five older adults admit to missing or forgetting doses, and the more medications they are prescribed, the higher the likelihood of doses being missed.
Many older adults are also taking over-the-counter medications and supplements that their care provider may not be knowledgeable of. This has the potential to cause serious side effects, depending on their current dosage and how the drugs interact.
Aging in place can present several difficulties toward following a proper medication schedule. With the recent economic downturn, many suburban and rural communities have drastically reduced their older adult transportation services. This absence of services can make getting timely refills difficult, especially during the winter months. Some older adults also resist asking others for help in picking up their medication, because they don't want to considered a burden or incapable of caring for themselves.
The automated phone systems now commonly in place at most pharmacies can also be difficult for older adults to manage. As hearing ability fades, successfully following the prompts can be difficult. After a few unsuccessful attempts, older adults may lose motivation to keep trying.
The Medco Health survey also found that the high cost of medications is a top concern for 40 percent of older adults. This can lead to self-medication techniques such as taking less than prescribed, or even taking none at all, in order to save on costs.
This is a dangerous strategy, as prescription medications are meant to be taken precisely as the physician orders. If the care recipient's eyes aren't as sharp as they once were, printing out the medication labels in large, easy to read font can help prevent errors.
Dealing with the activities of daily living while aging in place can often require some additional support. Older adults that have multiple medications to manage may especially benefit from Independa's caregiving solutions.
Our Angela™ software interface can be accessed through the LG Television.
Angela™ offers a wide scope of exciting features that support older adults' decision to age in place. Caregivers of family members can program important medication and appointment reminders, ensuring that care recipients remember to take the proper medication at the right times. These alerts will be visible even if the care recipient is watching a television program, or engaged with one of the other exciting Angela™ features, such as video chat, games, photo or message sharing and more. To schedule a demo, contact us through our online form.
Do you or your family members have any experience using technology to support proper medication schedules? Share your insight with us on our Facebook page!
