Addiction Prevention in Elderly Adults
Unfortunately, there are many elderly adults who end up addicted to prescription pain medications. Part of the reason for this is that tolerance in elderly adults isn’t nearly as high as it is in younger people.
Another reason for this is because many elderly adults don’t pay attention to how often they should be taking the medication and may misuse it. If you or your loved one’s elderly care providers want to help prevent addiction in your elderly loved one, there are some tips that can help with this.
Using Medications Only as Instructed
One of the best tips for addiction prevention in elderly adults is to make sure they are only using their medications as instructed by their doctor. Many elderly adults, when left unattended, will not take their prescription pain medications as instructed. They may forget they already took a pill and take another one before it is time. You and their elderly care providers can help to ensure they are only taking medications as instructed.
Take the Amount that is Prescribed
Your elderly loved one should never take more prescription pain medications than have been prescribed. They should only take the amount that is on the bottle. If they don’t feel they need as much as prescribed, this should be discussed with the doctor. The same goes for if they feel they need more than what has been prescribed. If they take more than what is prescribed they could overdose or become addicted to the medications. Neither of these things would be good.
Regular Follow-Ups with Their Doctor
Another way to prevent addiction with prescription pain medications in the elderly is to make sure they regularly follow up with their doctor. Whenever someone is on prescription pain medications, they should at least be seeing their doctor at a minimum of once every 3 months, if not more. The regular check-ups will allow their doctors to see how they are doing. The doctor will make sure they are still in pain and see if the medications need to be continued or not.
Side Effects or Concerns
Addiction prevention is also about the side effects or concerns that your loved one, you, or their elderly care providers have, as well. If the medication is causing them certain side effects such as too much euphoria, this could lead to an addiction. If there are other concerns about how they are using the medication, these should be brought up to the doctor, too.
These are some of the tips for addiction prevention in elderly adults. If you are caring for your elderly loved one, be sure they are following through with the prescription that is on the bottle. Make sure they are regularly visiting their doctor, as well.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Noblesville, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving Greater Indianapolis Area. Call for Immediate Info & Assistance: (317) 471-0760
Sources
As a practicing Registered Nurse, Etelka was keenly aware of a void in quality patient care that could be provided in the home. She embarked upon a journey to develop a home health care agency that would exceed all expectations and become a trusted partner to physicians and patients.
A Distinguished Career From Nurse to Director of Nursing to President of Home Services Unlimited
Etelka’s distinguished career followed a logical progression to her position as President of Home Services Unlimited. She graduated as a nurse practitioner with a Bachelor of Nursing (RN) in 1972 from Meshgorya University in the Ukraine, close to where she lived with her family. She married her husband Phil in 1973 and decided in 1977 that they would relocate to the United States to be closer to family and to come to this land of opportunity. With an eagerness to continue her budding career, Etelka sat for and passed her Boards in the U.S. in 1979.
A Love and Talent for Working with the Elderly
Etelka began her nursing career in the U.S. at Colonial Crest, now part of Golden Living, where she was the In-service Coordinator, the Director of Training and Education and Director of Nursing, a position she occupied for several years.
With a group of partners, she co-founded Adept Corporation, which operated group homes for the mentally challenged. The business was successful and in 1996, Etelka sold her share to return to her roots, caring for the elderly.
In January of 1997, Etelka opened Home Services Unlimited as a fully licensed business to provide home health care. In her quest to learn to do better for her patients, she had already obtained a Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) in May of 1990 from the College of St. Francis. As President of Home Services Unlimited, Inc., Etelka guides the trusted, experienced care model Home Services Unlimited uses to continue providing excellent home health care.
Giving Back to the Community of Indianapolis
Volunteering for community services is a high priority for Etelka. Her memberships include the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Executive Women in Health Care and the Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care, where she is a member of the Board of Directors.
Etelka has also served on the Board of Directors with Hooverwood Home, a highly regarded geriatric facility, since 1997 and as the President for 2005-2006. Through her community work, she has received several awards and accolades, including the Nora McFarland award in 2002, from the Indiana Association of Home and Hospice Care.
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