It’s possible that your parent is overwhelmed with the medications they are taking. Not only are they taking drugs that they cannot pronounce the names of, but they also may not understand when to take them or why they are needed. Some pills need to be taken with a full glass of water, others with milk, and some on an empty stomach and yet others on a full stomach. This can be so confusing that it often takes someone like a homecare aide to develop and enforce a schedule. However, even with a plan, the responsibility of your mother or father taking their prescribed medications may also be yours too.

Although mom or dad may have Medicare along with a Part D prescription supplement, not all medications are covered. Despite your parent’s confusion as to why they are taking so many different capsules, pills, and liquids, they may be worrying about the cost and senior homecare providers recommend helping them through this financial process. In some instances, higher priced designer drugs may be substituted by your loved one’s doctor with recommendation generic version that may be more affordable. If the costs are more in alignment with your mother or father’s budget, they may be more responsible about taking their medication or at least following the directions set by the senior homecare professionals.

Whether you or the senior homecare provider orders mom or dad’s medications, seek the best plan and check mail orders as well as 90-day orders versus 30-day orders. This may provide a significant cost saving and reduce that additional stress many older adults associate with their medications.  Additionally, before accepting another prescription from the doctor, have your loved one’s medical team review their current medications including over the counter ones as well.  Identifying your parent’s concerns, confusions, and needs, and try to put together a simple plan can make a huge difference in medication compliance in the long run.