Medications are important tools that can be necessary for therapeutic and medical treatment. With medication, an individual may be able to lead a normal life without having to deal with pain or other symptoms related to specific diseases or illnesses. However, managing multiple medications can sometimes be confusing and difficult. If this is an issue you’re facing, you may need medication safety in addition to your in-home nursing services. The following is information regarding medication safety and whether or not it is a service that you or your loved one might benefit from. 

Medication Safety

According to the American Heart Association, 32 million Americans take three or more medications daily. Trying to interpret the prescription orders can be quite confusing. In fact, it can be dangerous, even deadly if not read properly.

• At any given time, regardless of age group, up to 59% of those on five or more           medications are taking them improperly.
• 23% of all nursing home admissions are due to patients failing to take prescriptions accurately.
• The average length of stay in a hospital due to medication noncompliance is 4.2 days.

Nearly half of all American adults – 90 million people – have difficulty understanding and acting on health information. This is especially true among our nation’s seniors. Almost 40% of seniors are unable to read prescription labels; 76% are unable to understand information given to them.

Hiring an agency, such as Compassionate Care Home Health Services Inc., allows you or your loved one to safely take medication while remaining in the comfort of your own home. A licensed nurse will ensure medication safety while coordinating care with you or your loved one’s physician.

Is Medication Management the Answer?

If any of the following statements describes you or your loved one, then medication      management might be the right choice.

• High risk of noncompliance to treatment regime including “forgetting to take medications” or “not finishing the treatment.”
• A need for monitoring drug interactions.
• Serious and persistent mental illness.
• Exacerbation of chronic mental illness.
• Behavioral or emotional problems exacerbated by physical illness.
• Physical disability preventing medication compliance.
• Alzheimer’s Disease or other Dementias
• Chronic pain and related depression.
• Anxiety and/or panic attacks.
• Frequent hospitalizations.
• Emotional crisis.
• Family members and caregivers in need of support and education.

What’s Included in Medication Management Services?

When medication management services are requested, the nurses at Compassionate Care Home Health Services, Inc. follow specific guidelines to provide the client with a sense of safety and security. Medication Management can be performed weekly, bi-weekly or as often as the client requires it. During a home visit, the licensed nurse will do the following:

• Monitor the client’s vital signs.
• Review the client’s medication needs.
• Dispense the medications into a weekly pill box.
• Check effectiveness of the medications.
• Review side effects.
• Reorder medications as needed.
• Consult the client’s doctor with any concerns noted.

This information is all included in a convenient Medication Safety brochure and can be found on our website.

During National Nurse’s Week May 6-12, Compassionate Care would like to thank all of our nurses for the hard work, dedication and compassionate care they provide for our clients each and every day. Without you, many Michigan residents would not be able to remain in their own homes!