Medication management is a crucial service offered in senior living communities, particularly in Assisted Living and Memory Care settings. As individuals age, managing multiple medications can become increasingly complex, leading to potential risks such as missed doses, drug interactions, or incorrect dosages. Medication management ensures that residents receive their medications safely, correctly, and on time, which is vital for maintaining their health and well-being.
In this blog, we will explore the importance of medication management, the components of a robust medication management program, and how it benefits residents in senior living communities.
For many seniors and their loved ones, managing medications can be a daunting task. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 85% of older adults take at least one medication, and nearly 36% take five or more, a practice known as polypharmacy. The complexity of managing multiple medications can lead to various challenges, including:
Missed Doses: Seniors may forget to take their medications, leading to lapses in their treatment.
Overdoses: Confusion about dosages or taking medications too frequently can result in accidental overdoses.
Drug Interactions: Taking multiple medications increases the risk of harmful drug interactions.
Complicated Schedules: Different medications may need to be taken at different times of the day, making it difficult to adhere to the prescribed regimen.
These challenges emphasize the need for effective medication management in senior living communities, where trained professionals can oversee and administer medications safely.
A comprehensive medication management program in The Gallery senior living communities includes several key components:
Medication Review and Assessment: A thorough review of each resident’s medications is conducted by healthcare professionals. This includes evaluating the appropriateness of each medication, potential drug interactions, and any side effects that may affect the resident’s health.
Personalized Medication Plans: Based on the assessment, a personalized medication plan is developed for each resident. This plan outlines the specific medications, dosages, and times they should be taken, customized to the resident’s unique health needs.
Administration and Monitoring: At the Gallery senior living communities, Qualified Medication Administration Personnel, also known as Medication Assistants, administer medications according to the personalized plan, ensuring that residents receive the correct dosages at the appropriate times. Continuous monitoring helps track the effectiveness of the medications and allows for adjustments as needed.
Education and Communication: Residents and their families are educated about the medications being taken, including their purpose, potential side effects, and the importance of adherence. Open communication between healthcare providers, residents, and families is essential for effective medication management.
Safety Protocols: Strict safety protocols are followed to store, handle, and dispose of medications properly. This includes secure storage areas, clear labeling, and proper disposal of expired or unused medications.
Effective medication management offers numerous benefits to residents in senior living communities:
Enhanced Safety: By ensuring that medications are taken correctly, medication management reduces the risk of adverse drug events, which can be particularly dangerous for seniors.
Improved Health Outcomes: Consistent and accurate medication administration helps maintain or improve residents’ health, preventing complications from missed doses or incorrect usage.
Peace of Mind: Residents and their families can have peace of mind knowing that medication management is handled by professionals who prioritize the well-being of your loved one.
Personalized Care: Medication management is customized to each resident’s needs, ensuring that their treatment is aligned with their overall health goals.
For residents with cognitive impairments, such as those in Memory Care, medication management is critical to ensuring that they receive the necessary treatments without the risk of confusion or error.
In Memory Care at The Gallery senior living communities, the team regularly checks each Memory Care residents’ apartments for over-the-counter drug medication. These over-the-counter medications are prohibited due to the potential danger of incorrectly self-administering or giving medication to others.
There are two main types. Type I (Juvenile) and Type II Type 2 diabetes is much more common and is typically caused by lifestyle choices. Unlike type I, the pancreas can make insulin, but not enough. This leads to the sugar being left in the blood stream instead of being pushed into the cell for an energy source.Some risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes:weightinactivityfamily historyhigh LDL cholesterol levelsAge over 45prediabetesComplications of type 2 diabetes:blood vessel disease nerve damage impaired healing heart disease stroke kidney disease eye damage dementiaPeople with type 2 diabetes, on average, have a shortened life expectancy by about 10 years.You can prevent type 2 diabetes by: eating properly exercise losing weightBalancing your nutrition with the proper amounts of proteins, carbs and fat not only helps you look better, have more energy and confidence but it also prevents chronic disease. Over 80% of chronic disease is preventable through lifestyle modification!
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition medical professionals call the silent killer. Silent because having elevated blood pressure often goes undetected for years or decades as it slowly causes fatal changes throughout the body, leading to death. Common comorbidities of prolonged hypertension include: kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, angina, dementia, vision loss, blindness, sexual dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, fatigue, artery damage, blood clots, and much more. Unfortunately, many individuals do not know or treat hypertension until the damage has already taken place. But it's not too late. There are many methods and options available to treat and eliminate this life threatening condition. The traditional method of treating hypertension consists of a doctor's visit, finding of hypertension, a series of cardiac studies, and then being prescribed medication.Often this is accompanied by a diagnosis of genetic hypertension, familial hypertension, secondary hypertension or idiopathic hypertension (unknown cause). Regardless of the diagnosis, the underlying cause can go unnoticed and untreated. Frankly, because there is not enough time and individuality to this approach. The band aid approach. So what's a normal blood pressure? Ideally 120/60.When does blood pressure become dangerous? When your systolic pressure (the first number) rises above and sustains above 150 you should be concerned.Long term effects of elevated blood pressure leads to interior vessel damage and therefore creates even more of a risk to you such as narrowing of the blood vessel, clotting and arteriosclerosis. So what generally leads to hypertension?Some causes for hypertension include obesity, hypernatremia or high sodium, lack of exercise, elevated homocysteine, sleep deprivation, substance use, smoking, stress, hypercholesterol or high fats in the blood, diabetes, kidney dysfunction, lung disease, diet and age.Getting to the core issue and addressing the primary cause or causes of hypertension is the ideal treatment. Unfortunately this is often challenging and time consuming for individuals to navigate themselves. They find there is no direct guidance from medical professionals. Instead the medication seems to be the end all be all approach. Most providers are unfortunately taught this method in school and are not programmed to use a holistic approach.Depending on the cause of hypertension, there are methods and scientifically proven lifestyle changes that can eliminate the silent killer in your life, without having to take medication with harmful side effects. Here are some general non-specific ways to treat hypertension:1. Sodium. Water follows salt. The more salt you digest, the more water that attaches to it. This fills up the veins and arteries, and the pressure makes the heart have to work harder to pump. By reducing sodium intake, we reduce the amount of fluid in our vascular space and lessen the workload of the heart. 2. Quit smoking. Smoking causes damage to the inside of our vessels, contributes to blood clotting, and damages your lungs. The damage in your lungs causes a backup of blood flow.3. Exercise. Your heart is its own muscle and requires exercise. When we exercise, we require the heart to improve endurance. Therefore when we are at rest, it has an easier time pumping blood.4. Diet. Eating a well balanced diet can reduce excess cholesterol. Bad cholesterol component that accumulates inside your vessels. When this happens, the opening becomes smaller making the heart have to pump harder to push through.5. Weight loss. Losing excess weight means the body needs less blood to feed extra tissue. When we lose weight, we reduce the need for the heart to pump harder to feed the excess mass. The extra pumping causes the heart muscle to become large then sets into other diseases, such as heart failure.6. Stress reduction. Stress induces a response in our body, causing inflammation, increasing our heart rate and narrowing our vessels. This again causes the heart to have to pump harder and thus increases our blood pressure.Utilizing an experienced certified nurse and wellness coach can bridge the gap between lifestyle modification and optimal health. By utilizing this approach, you can obtain a personal and individualized plan and treatment for hypertension and other ailments concurrently. To learn more about a specific plan designed for you or to schedule a free consultation, click below. I would be happy to see if we are a good fit to work together and begin living the life you were designed for and the care you deserve.
Moodys recently upgraded Collier Countys Series 2018 Tourist Development Tax Revenue Bonds by two notchesfrom Aa3 to Aa1an uncommon and impressive achievement. This upgrade reflects the countys financial strength, fueled by growing tourism revenues and strategic fiscal management.Why This MattersThis upgrade allows Collier County to borrow at lower interest rates, potentially saving taxpayers millions. For senior citizens, this means: Improved Services: Savings can possibly fund critical projects such as better transportation, healthcare facilities, and senior centers. Tax Stability: Lower borrowing costs help keep property taxes steady, a relief for those on fixed incomes. Enhanced Quality of Life: A strong tourism economy supports parks, cultural activities, and infrastructure which many seniors can enjoy.This achievement highlights the countys commitment to financial responsibility and delivering lasting benefits for Collier County residents of all ages.For more details, contact Derek M. Johnssen at (239) 252-7863 or visit emma.msrb.org.#CollierCounty #FinancialStrength #SeniorLiving
Welcome to The Gallery at Hacienda Lakes, where senior living is an artful experience inspired by individual stories and deep connections. Located in Naples, Florida, our community draws inspiration from classic art galleries to create a vibrant and enriching environment. Whether you're exploring nearby beaches, enjoying local golf courses, or simply relaxing in our serene setting, every day here is an opportunity to craft cherished memories with loved ones.Experience personalized care across our Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care options. Our devoted team ensures every detailfrom gourmet dining to personalized assistanceis meticulously catered to enhance your lifestyle. At The Gallery, we celebrate the essence of you, providing a secure and supportive environment where each resident can thrive.Discover the art of senior living at The Gallery at Hacienda Lakes, where every day brings new opportunities for enrichment and connection. Contact us today to learn more about our community and personalized care options.
Welcome to The Gallery at Hacienda Lakes, where senior living is an artful experience inspired by individual stories and deep connections. Located in Naples, Florida, our community draws inspiration from classic art galleries to create a vibrant and enriching environment. Whether you're exploring nearby beaches, enjoying local golf courses, or simply relaxing in our serene setting, every day here is an opportunity to craft cherished memories with loved ones.Experience personalized care across our Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care options. Our devoted team ensures every detailfrom gourmet dining to personalized assistanceis meticulously catered to enhance your lifestyle. At The Gallery, we celebrate the essence of you, providing a secure and supportive environment where each resident can thrive.Discover the art of senior living at The Gallery at Hacienda Lakes, where every day brings new opportunities for enrichment and connection. Contact us today to learn more about our community and personalized care options.
Welcome to The Gallery at Hacienda Lakes, where senior living is an artful experience inspired by individual stories and deep connections. Located in Naples, Florida, our community draws inspiration from classic art galleries to create a vibrant and enriching environment. Whether you're exploring nearby beaches, enjoying local golf courses, or simply relaxing in our serene setting, every day here is an opportunity to craft cherished memories with loved ones.Experience personalized care across our Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care options. Our devoted team ensures every detailfrom gourmet dining to personalized assistanceis meticulously catered to enhance your lifestyle. At The Gallery, we celebrate the essence of you, providing a secure and supportive environment where each resident can thrive.Discover the art of senior living at The Gallery at Hacienda Lakes, where every day brings new opportunities for enrichment and connection. Contact us today to learn more about our community and personalized care options.