As we age, managing multiple prescriptions for common health issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and other age-related conditions can become increasingly challenging. Remembering to take medications regularly and on time can be difficult, especially if cognitive issues or dementia are present.
This is where a live-in carer can make a significant difference. By residing in your loved one’s home, a live-in carer ensures that medications are taken correctly and consistently, following the healthcare practitioner’s instructions. Live-in care offers the added benefit of providing comprehensive support, all within the familiar and comfortable surroundings of home.
A live-in carer can gently remind their clients to take their medications, reducing the risk of missed doses or accidental overdoses. Medication management is a critical aspect of a live-in carer’s role, ensuring that your loved one adheres to their prescribed regimen as directed by their GP or other healthcare professionals. This level of support helps maintain health and well-being, providing peace of mind for both the individual and their family.
For more information on the role of a live-in carer, take a look at our article, ”What does a live-in carer do?”
What does medication management involve?
A live-in carer can help your loved one with managing medication in a number of ways. Medication management provided by a live-in carer involves:
- Ensuring medications are not missed out
- Making sure that no drug interactions occur
- Following specific prescription instructions
- Monitoring individuals for signs of any side effects
- Picking up prescriptions and ensuring they are replenished on time
- Helping with difficult to open blister packs, screw tops, and measuring out doses
- Offering gentle reminders so that individuals can remember to take their own medication
Carers giving medication that is more invasive or classed as a controlled drug must have specific training. Typically, these medications are administered by a registered nurse, but live-in carers can help support other healthcare professionals in their roles and alert them if medical assistance is needed.
To learn about the many ways a live-in carer can help, take a look at our in-depth guide.
Benefits of carers managing medication
There are many benefits to having a live-in carer involved in medication management, as this can be tricky to navigate, especially if an individual is taking multiple medications daily. Certain prescriptions instruct individuals to take medications at specific times of the day, with or without food, and even not in conjunction with any other medication. This can make it difficult for people to remember when to take their medication and also if they have already taken their daily dose.
The advantages of having a live-in carer manage medication include:
- Peace of mind that you or your loved one’s medication is managed by a professional
- Reduced risk of overdose or taking a double dose
- Ensures that your loved one’s health is a priority
- Having prescriptions picked up, reordered, and replenished
- Open lines of communication between carers and healthcare professionals
- Monitoring of your loved one’s health status
Other ways a live-in carer can help
In addition to managing medication, a live-in carer can help individuals in many ways, depending on their specific health and care needs. A live-in carer can support your loved one with:
- Personal care – including bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting, ensuring that they look and feel their best.
- Mobility issues – from removing trip hazards to making sure they have access to mobility aids should they need them, a live-in carer can help individuals get around with ease.
- Socialising – whether that means offering transport to social engagements or companionship care, a live-in carer can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
- Nutritious meals – either acting as a sous chef if your loved one likes to cook but finds it challenging, or preparing meals for them, a live-in carer can help encourage a regular eating and drinking routine.
- Maintaining independence – having a live-in carer reside in the home means that there is no need to move out and into a care home facility, maintaining a sense of independence.
- Keeping regular routines – a live-in carer works to your loved one’s schedule, keeping in-line with their set mealtimes, daily, and weekly activities and hobbies.
- Facilitating hobbies – if an individual enjoys certain hobbies, a live-in carer can help by providing support, running errands to collect equipment and supplies, and even sharing interests.
How Country Cousins can help
Country Cousins provides specialised support for individuals requiring live-in care, ensuring they take their medication regularly and on time. By matching clients with carers experienced in specific health conditions and medication management, you can have peace of mind knowing your loved ones are in safe hands.
Over 400 families trust us daily to match them with the perfect live-in carer. You can depend on us to help you find the most suitable live-in care for your loved one. For more advice on choosing in-home care for your elderly loved one, check out our live-in care guide.
Talk to our team today
If you require live-in care for your loved one, get in touch with us at Country Cousins today. We are the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, having provided compassionate care to people in their own homes since 1959.
Give us a call today on 01293 244 706. should you have any questions about home care. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
