Medication Management and Mismanagement…
After a hospital stay or illness, patients and caregivers can feel overwhelmed. Among other things patients and caregivers should be asking themselves one more important question, could this situation be the result of their medications?
Medication related problems are one of the biggest reasons for hospital visits and re-hospitalizations (a hospitalization within 30 days of a previous hospital stay). Patients, their loved ones and caregivers often fail to understand the impact medications may have on overall health and continued well being. This is especially true for patients over 65.
Some of the most common problems include:
- Confusion or misunderstanding when medications are explained by hospital staff
- Not having a prescription filled
- Taking an incorrect dose. Doses may be too high or too low. Ensure you or your loved on is taking the prescribed does but also ensure the dose is still appropriate and relevant based on their current healthcare needs and issues
- Taking the medicine at the wrong time. Medication must be taken as directed.
- Forgetting to take one or more doses
- Stopping the medication too soon. Do not stop taking a medication just because they physical symptoms have subsided.
- Apathy and complete non-compliance
Patients who are older usually have more medical conditions that result in greater medication use, more interactions, and more side effects. The more medication taken, the greater potential for medication related problems.
Consequences of medication mismanagement can include:
- Increased physician visits and healthcare cost
- Increased hospital admissions: 60% of hospital readmissions are attributed to noncompliance
- Prescribing of additional medications: The doctor, assuming the medication is being taken, increases the dose or adds additional medications to get the desired response.
- Nursing home admissions: 23% of nursing home admissions may result from the inability to self-administer medications.
If you notice changes in yourself or a loved one be sure to consider medication related problems. You may want to request a medication reconciliation to see if any current medications could be the root of the problem.
If medication related problems go unaddressed, other decisions are compromised.
Home modifications for fall prevention will not work if you or a loved one is still experiencing dizziness as a result of medication mismanagement. When decisions are made to change diets or arrange meal delivery, weight, strength and appetite may not improve if medications continue to contribute to changes in appetite or adsorption of the nutrients. As you start to develop plans to keep a senior mentally active, you need to realize it may not be accomplished if the cumulative side effects of multiple medications remain unaddressed.
All patients and caregivers are encouraged to understand medications are an extremely important part of their health care plan. Many times medications cannot cure health problems but treat conditions and slow the decline in health. Medications may be used differently to get better results and fewer side effects. The proper use of all medications at an optimal dose is essential to achieve the desired results and further slow the decline in health. It is absolutely necessary that patients, family or caregivers learn about the unique group of medications that are being used and how to achieve maximum benefit from their use.
Like many of the questions and needs arising from the aging process, there is a service to address medication related problems. Many pharmacists specialize in the treatment of elderly adults and can help you or a loved on avoid issues arising from medication mismanagement.