Pharmacists are critical to senior care because they offer a wide range of services and help meet seniors’ unique health needs. However, seniors might not have the kind of relationship with their pharmacist that they should. Understanding how pharmacists can help them and their role can help them in many ways, just like having companion care at home providers by their side.
Keep reading to understand why seniors should forge a relationship with their pharmacist and how loved ones and home care can help.
Management of Prescriptions
A Pharmacist does more than simply fill the prescription. Consider the steps they take before the prescription is ready to pick up.
Medicine Review: A pharmacist reviews a senior’s medicine schedule to ensure it’s right, safe, and effective. They look for possible drug combinations, duplicates, and mistakes in how much of a drug to give.
Medication Reconciliation: Pharmacists help seniors keep correct records of their medications, such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements.
Medication Adherence: They work with seniors to make sure they understand how to take their medications and can do so correctly. This helps improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Medication Counseling
Pharmacists can help seniors understand their medicines, including any possible side effects, how to take them correctly, and how important it is to do so. They can also talk with them about any worries or questions they may have about their medicines. Having companion care at home by their side also helps with this, as they can remind seniors what the pharmacist said.
Disease Management
Pharmacists work with doctors and nurses to help seniors with long-term conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. They might also provide tips to seniors on how to improve their health by making changes to their lifestyle, food, or exercise. This is another area where a companion care at home aide can help. The home care team can follow a consistent treatment plan by knowing what the pharmacist suggested.
Helping With Vaccinations
Pharmacists can give seniors shots against diseases that can be prevented, such as the flu, pneumonia, and shingles. They can also explain why they need these shots and answer questions about possible concerns.
OTC Medication Directions
With pharmacists’ help, seniors can choose safe over-the-counter medicines and supplements to treat minor health problems, considering how they might combine with their prescribed medicines.
Home Delivery of Medication
Some pharmacies have home delivery services that make it easier for seniors, especially those with trouble moving around, to get their medicine.
As mentioned, pharmacists can work with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers as part of a team to ensure that seniors get complete and well-coordinated care. This includes companion care at home aides and loved ones. Pharmacists make a big difference in the safety of medications, the effectiveness of treatments, and the general quality of life for the elderly. Their knowledge helps seniors care for their health well and stay independent.
Sources: https://www.craigdailypress.com/news/the-importance-of-establishing-a-relationship-with-your-local-pharmacy/#:~:text=Your%20pharmacist%20ensures%20everything%20you,and%20communication%20enhances%20over%20time.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8653675/
If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home Services in Red Bank NJ please get in touch with the caring staff at Expert Home Care today at (732) 937-5320.
We have been providing Home Health Care to New Jersey families since 1985, and have grown to become one of the largest licensed providers of Live-In Home Care in the upper New Jersey area. Our many years of New Jersey home care experience has produced a company that over 8,000 clients have come to rely on confidently, for help.
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