Action Step Nine: Make a list of all mom’s medications.

Always keep a list of all the medications your mom is taking. Keep one at her residence and one with you. It is even a good idea to give a copy to a family member in case it is needed when you are out of town and mom cannot find hers. This will come in handy if you ever have to provide a medical staff with this information. You will be organized in case of emergency as well.

The information should include:
1. All doctors names and phone numbers
2. The pharmacy name and phone number
3. The drug prescribed as well as generic equivalent
4. A copy of all mom’s medical records
5. Mom’s blood type
6. A list of all vitamins mom is taking

Lesson Nine: Medications

There comes a time when medications are a necessary way of life. Combine this with being forgetful and there is a potentially dangerous situation. If nothing else, keep the medication out of reach and give her just enough for one day. That way she will still feel in control and able to care for herself. Keep in mind that there will come a time when she will not be able to execute this simple of a task.

Perhaps your mom is sharp enough to put her medication out a week at a time. There are Sunday through Monday pillboxes available to help keep mom organized. What I did for my mom is get three Sunday through Monday pill containers, one for the am medications, one for the afternoon medications and one for the nighttime medications. I clearly labeled each for the respective time of day. I put them out for her weekly and at 87, she keeps up just fine!!

Then there is the consideration of vitamin and mineral supplements. Vitamins A and C are good to take as long as you have your doctor’s permission. Minerals like calcium and magnesium are also good to take with doctor’s permission. This only becomes a problem area when mom tries to alternatively medicate herself with vitamins, minerals and herbs without telling anyone.

When my mom came home after heart surgery, she was taking many medications that included tranquilizers and sleeping pills. Since she felt she could add to this regimen without telling her doctor, she ended up over medicating herself, falling and going back to the hospital by adding some over the counter alternative medications.

Bottom line message here friends are to fine tune mom’s medications with the help of your doctor (s). Everyone on your mom’s health team including all her doctors and yourself needs to fine tune her medicine regimen and stick to it. Keep your eye out for side effects and seek medical personal if necessary, especially with blood thinners and heart regulators.