One of the key areas for families to look more closely at when they’re concerned about fall risks for their aging adults is whether medications are increasing those risks. Aging adults often take more than one medication, and between side effects and other issues, falling might be a bigger concern. Home care providers can help aging adults and family caregivers look at whether medications could be a risk for seniors and remain as safe as possible while they age in place.
Multiple Medications Increase Side Effects
When seniors take more than one medication that causes side effects like dizziness, those side effects can seem to worsen, causing a greater impact. As seniors get older, they may start to feel side effects more strongly, too. That can happen even with medications they’ve taken for years with no serious issues.
Medications That Cause Drowsiness
If seniors take medications that make them drowsy at all, they’re at a much higher risk of falling after taking them. Some of these medications may be ones seniors need to take before bed rather than at other times of the day.
Home care providers can remind seniors when to take medications that can cause drowsiness.
Keep a List of Prescriptions and Over-the-counter Medications
Seniors may forget that over-the-counter and prescription medications can interact. If seniors haven’t mentioned all of the medications they’re taking to their doctors, they might want to consider making an updated list.
Home care providers can help them to keep track of everything they’re taking so that they can make sure their doctors are aware of everything they’re taking.
Talk to Doctors and Pharmacists
Regular medication checks with doctors and pharmacists are a great idea for aging adults, especially if they have other risk factors for falling. Doctors can help seniors to determine if the side effects they’re experiencing are worth the benefits of taking the medications. Adjusting the dosage or trying a different medication can help them to avoid increasing their fall risks needlessly.
Pharmacists are equally helpful in determining if medication side effects are making things worse for seniors. They can help seniors to notice medications that shouldn’t be taken together so that seniors can stay safer.
Consider Alternatives
Aging brings a lot of changes to seniors’ lives, and that sometimes means that medications that used to help them no longer do. Considering alternatives with an open mind can help seniors find new treatments for their health issues while also staying safe and reducing the risk of falling.
Home care providers can help seniors adopt new habits and make adjustments that help even more.
It’s never a good feeling to wonder if something that is helping seniors might also be making life more difficult in other ways. When it comes to medications, seniors need to talk with doctors and pharmacists about what is and isn’t working. Home care providers can help seniors adopt routines that support their goal of preventing falls.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Monument, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Colorado Springs, CO, today. Call (719) 639-2663
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Colorado Springs, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy, Black Forest, Cimarron Hills, Fort Carson, Gleneagle, Larkspur, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Perry Park, Rock Creek Park, Security-Widefield, Stratmoor, and Woodmoor and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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