Organizing for the Elderly Part II

Clutter free room, with comfortable chair next to bathroom

What can we do at home to keep the elderly safe?

If our parents live by themselves we constantly worry about their safety, and if they live with us we need to rearrange our home to protect them, especially bedroom, bathroom and kitchen areas, removing obstacles and sharp pointy furniture, small rugs and anything that could make them fall, they did for us, now we do it for them.  

Avoid furniture with sharp corners

It's important to consider individual’s level of independence, making them part of the decision-making process, respectfully explaining why precautions are taken. For example, is not a good idea to keep prescriptions by night table, unless they are inhalers or palliatives, because it is easy to forget one took them already. 

It is not a good idea to keep prescription by night table

Prescription medications:

• There are several apps to keep track of prescription medications, that send reminders, prescription interaction warnings, and many other helpful features. These applications are reliable, I have been using Mango Health, but please do your own research to identify one suitable to your needs.
• Store medicine bottles in the kitchen-pantry to avoid humidity and keep control of all prescriptions.
• Make a list of all prescriptions and post it visibly behind their bathroom door and in kitchen pantry.
• Place a color sticker on each Rx bottle to facilitate intake schedule; for example, yellow for morning, green for afternoon, and blue for evening pills.
  

  

  Color code to indicate intake time

  
  
• Involve seniors in the preparation of daily prescriptions boxes, going over reasons why meds were prescribed; it makes them feel in control of their own health care process. 
• Seniors forget to take medication or double up on it, its hard for them to keep track, so it’s a good idea to separate daily doses in prescriptions boxes. Automated pill bottles are also available.
• Set alarm for the elderly and for you and follow up on it. Apps can be of great help.
• Check expiration dates and discard old medication bottles, don't leave it up to them.

Nutritional needs and medical care are important issues, but my area of expertise is organization and it would be great to hear from you on different aspects of senior care, fresh ideas and suggestions!