How to Help Seniors Manage Medications

Medication safety is a major issue for seniors and for those receiving Alzheimer’s care, it looms even larger. Memory loss can make medication management nearly impossible, which in turn can lead to serious consequences. These strategies can help all seniors and their families with medication management, especially those who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

Create a Medication Routine

Working with doctors and pharmacists, you should find out how each individual medication should be taken, and then create a routine for taking the medicines at the appropriate times. For instance, some medications should be taken with food in the morning, and the routine could be to take those pills after breakfast. To maintain the routine and ensure that no doses get skipped or taken twice, use a pill organizer. If you have a loved one that is transitioning to a memory care home, discuss the routine with the staff there so that it can be maintained.

Practice Safe Storage

Leaving medications out and readily available can be dangerous for someone living with dementia, who may not remember if he or she has already taken the pills or may not know how many to take. Keep medications stored in locked cabinets so that only the pills necessary for that day are available. This will reduce the risk of overdoses. Periodically check the supply of medications and discard any expired pills or medicines that your loved one no longer needs.

Consider How the Medicine is Taken

For people with Alzheimer’s disease, swallowing can become difficult. If your loved one is struggling to take his or her medicine, talk to the doctor or pharmacist about using a different form, such as a liquid, or crushing the pills. In some cases, switching medicines can also help.

Medication management is one of the many services we offer at Avalon Memory Care. Choose us when your loved one needs continuous care in the Dallas, Houston and Arlington areas. You can learn more about our assisted living homes by calling (214) 752-7050.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia 01/17/2018
Parkinson’s disease is an incurable neurological disorder, with progressively worsening complications. Perhaps the most well-known symptom of Parkinson’s is a hand tremor, but it can also cause speech changes, muscle rigidity, and impaired posture. Eventually, as the disease progresses, more than half of all individuals with Parkinson’s will require dementia care. This particular type of
The Long Goodbye: Understanding Anticipatory Grief and Dementia 01/22/2018
When you have a family member who is suffering from dementia, it’s not unusual to find yourself experiencing sharp and sudden emotions. The gradual loss of a loved one is, in many ways, comparable to experiencing the death of someone close to you. With progressive dementia, this sense of loss is accompanied by another emotion
Hope For the Future: Emerging Alzheimer’s Research 01/30/2018
According to the latest statistics, as many as 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and its prevalence is only expected to rise in the next few decades. At the same time, however, research into treatments for the condition is accelerating. With every passing year, we move a little further down the road toward

Testimonials

“Since my mother has lived at Avalon, I have had peace of mind for the first time since Alzheimer’s began to exact its terrible price from my mother’s life. Thank you for your part in making our lives better.”

Daughter | Ft. Worth, TX

“I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the care and love afforded to my mom over the last two weeks. Your success in finding such quality people has my gratitude and respect.”

Daughter | Dallas, TX

“We are very pleased with all of the efforts that your caring staff has made to smooth this traumatic transition.”

Son | Plano, TX

“I know my husband had the very best care in his final days. I regret that I did not know about Avalon sooner.”

Wife | Dallas, TX

“Mom spent the final 8 months of her life in Avalon Memory Care in Allen. The staff was great. There was rarely a day that my brother or I did not come by and they were always friendly to us and did their best to make mom comfortable and happy. We really appreciated them for everything they did.”

Daughter | Allen, TX

“Making the decision to place my mother in residential memory care was the hardest thing I think I have ever done. But living at Avalon has been the best thing for her at this stage of her life.”

Daughter | Allen, TX

“My grandmother has lived at Avalon Memory Care for 6 months now. I cannot speak highly enough about the warmth, dedication, and caring compassion of the staff. They always make us feel welcome and go out of their way to work with us to accommodate grandma’s needs.”

Grandson | Arlington, TX

“My grandmother spent her final days at Avalon and we couldn’t have asked for a better place to care for her. The caregivers are attentive and kind, and many of them have been with Avalon for years. If you are looking for a place to love on you and your family in a season that is inevitably difficult, Avalon is a wonderful choice.”

Granddaughter | Arlington, TX

“We are delighted with the facility of Avalon Memory Care. We just placed Grandma in an apartment with them and couldn’t be happier. It is clean and well-lit, and everyone greets us, down to the folks who clean up.”

Granddaughter | Arlington, TX