Medication management for in home care is a critical part of ensuring the ongoing quality of life of the homecare client. Elderly Americans take 40% of the prescription drugs in the United States and 35% of the over the counter medications, sometimes leading to confusion, missed or double doses and resulting adverse reactions.
The services of an in home care manager can audit medications, check for potential interactions or duplicate medications, organize meds into simple pill boxes and coordinate refills.
As part of our medication management services, each time At Home Nursing Care brings a new homecare client under our care, our RN Case Manager conducts a full evaluation of their medical history, paying particular attention to the medications being taken in the home. Our nurse then makes a legible list of all medications. She/he will coordinate with the patient’s doctor and pharmacist to make sure none of these medications are outdated or conflicting.
Our nurse will fill the pill box or medication dispenser, and then make weekly or bi-monthly visits to monitor reactions and ensure there are no adverse effects. Every two months we contact our patient’s physician to stay on top of how the patient’s needs may be changing.
Eighty one percent of older Americans don’t know why they’re taking the pills they’re taking, so there’s a lot of confusion. Our nurses help clarify that. This oversight help with fall prevention, improve activities of daily living, assist caregivers with daily care and limit injuries often associated with wrong dosages or conflicting medications.
Better medication management for in home care leads to a better quality of life at home.