Here are five medication errors that you can help your elderly loved one avoid.
- Too Much
In many cases, an elderly person forgets that they already took their medication and takes more. This is the number one cause of medication error in the elderly and can prove to be fatal.
- Confusing One with Another
Another mistake common among the elderly is confusing one medication with another. This is common with medications that are named similarly or begin with the same letter. A daily medication organizer can help prevent your elderly loved one from this type of confusion.
- Interactions
Your loved one’s medical provider should ask about any medications that their patient is currently on. A failure to do so amounts to neglect. Even if your loved one cannot remember the name of their pills, the doctor should do their absolute best to determine what they are.
- Food and Drug Interactions
Food and drug interactions are another thing that can be prevented when a medical professional takes the time to talk with their patients. Your loved one’s doctor or pharmacist should clearly explain any possible interactions with the medication they are issuing.
- Administration
There are tablets that are made to be sub-lingual, those that are made to be swallowed, and even those that are delivered as a suppository. When a medication is taken incorrectly, serious consequences can ensue.
Some medication errors are the fault of the patient, and others can be blamed on a medical professional. If your loved one has become injured or ill due to a medication error and you believe the fault lies with medical staff, please call our offices today. A member of our team will provide you with a free case evaluation. Call now.