The complexity of care with keeping our loved ones at home has created an incredible responsibility for families. This type of care, in the past, was performed by regulated healthcare professionals usually through hospital care. But, as the length of hospital stays decrease, the care is transferred to the home environment. Assigned home care services do not always meet your needs.
As pharmacists, we recognize the potential for caregiver stress and burnout. Medication regimens can often be complicated and dynamic (frequently changing). As a caregiver, you may be saying to yourself:
- my loved one is refusing his morning medications! What can I do?
- does he/she really need all of these medications?
- I’m so worried. What if I do something wrong?
You may be feeling overwhelmed with having to give and manage many medications. Maybe you need to learn how to give a needle or apply a patch. You may be concerned about making a mistake. You are not alone. Your pharmacist is your partner and is available to help.
Here is a scenario:
- Your father is having trouble swallowing his pills. Often, he ends up sucking on them and eventually spits out pieces
- You call your pharmacist to see what can be done
- Together, you have a discussion about the medications, reviewing the benefits/side effects and gaining a better understanding if a dose is missed or altered
- The solution will be tailored to your father and yourself. The pharmacist may:
- change the prescription to a liquid,
- recommend crushing (if safe) and giving in yogurt or applesauce,
- change the time of day to give,
- contact the doctor for a different medication or to recommend stopping
Your pharmacist is here to help ease the burden. Together, we can make medication management safer and simpler. We can help increase your confidence (because you are doing a great job!). Pharmacists can help problem solve, educate and advocate on medication-related issues.
Here at the Bowmanville Clinic Pharmacy, know that we are your partner. Bring us into your world. We can help alleviate medication concerns, so that you can put that extra time into caring for yourself.
A cared-for caregiver makes all the difference.
