Tag: Elderly

Weekly pill organizer, daily medication log with times checked, calendar with medication reminders

Tips to Manage and Organize Your Elderly Parent’s Medications

On By Dr. Scott RennieIn Senior & Caregiver HealthLeave a comment

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Many of my patients, and many of the families I work with, face the same challenge. Their parents are taking multiple medications, sometimes several times a day, and it’s hard to keep everything straight. As memory declines with age, the details of what to take, when to take it, and why it matters can easily get lost. The problem is that missing doses or mixing up prescriptions can quickly affect health.

I’ve found that patients do better when they understand why they’re taking each medication. A simple note like “blood pressure” or “cholesterol” written next to the name helps. I often hand out an updated medication list at every visit. It’s printed in a large, easy-to-read font so it doesn’t get overlooked. Some people keep that list on the fridge or next to their pill bottles so they can check it quickly. Others like to carry it on a USB drive or keep it stored securely online, so it’s available if they land in another clinic or hospital. The key is making sure the list stays current. Whenever a prescription changes, I encourage families to replace the old list immediately (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).

Where medications are stored makes a difference too. If bottles are tucked away in a cabinet, they’re easier to forget. Putting them near the coffee maker, a water dispenser, or a bathroom sink works better. Those spots become natural reminders because the person passes them throughout the day.

When I visit a patient at home, I try to look at the actual bottles. Comparing what’s on the label with what’s on the chart can prevent mistakes, like taking an outdated prescription. If a refill is almost due, it’s easier to take care of it right then than to wait until the patient runs out.

Simple tools can also make a big impact. Pill boxes are inexpensive and work well for organizing doses by day or time. Even basic versions you can buy at the pharmacy help patients and caregivers see at a glance whether a dose has been taken. More advanced boxes come with reminders built in, though those cost more.

Technology is playing a growing role in this space. Some prescription bottles now come with reminder caps that glow, beep, or even send a text message when it’s time to take the next dose. Vitality’s GlowCaps are one example that combine light and sound alerts with electronic reminders (Vitality, 2024). For patients who already use smartphones, setting a daily alarm or calendar alert works just as well.

There are also mobile apps designed specifically for tracking medications. Options like iPills, Pillbox, Pillboxer, and The Pill Phone help patients and caregivers schedule, track, and confirm doses (National Institutes of Health, 2022). For tech-savvy patients, these can reduce the burden of trying to remember everything on their own.

None of these approaches are complicated, but they do take a little extra time and attention. Whether it’s keeping an updated list, moving the bottles where they’re easier to see, or using a pill box or phone alarm, the goal is the same. Patients who remember their medications stay healthier, and caregivers have one less thing to worry about.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice for any individual. Please talk with your medical provider about any specific questions.

Scott Rennie, D.O.
Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.

Can Doctors Help Seniors Live Independently Longer?

On By Dr. Scott RennieIn Senior & Caregiver HealthLeave a comment

One of the main goals in my practice has always been to help older patients stay in their own homes for as long as possible. People do better when they remain in familiar surroundings and in the communities they know. Families often ask me how they can let their loved one hold on to independence while still getting the care they need.

There are real challenges. Memory problems can make it hard to keep track of medications. Mobility issues after something like a hip fracture can limit daily activity. Chronic conditions such as heart failure, uncontrolled diabetes, or severe COPD can complicate matters further. And many times, family members live hours away or even in another state, which makes caregiving even harder.

I’ve found that having a primary care provider who coordinates all aspects of medical care is one of the most important steps. When patients are dealing with multiple specialists, prescriptions, and appointments, it’s easy for things to get confusing. My role often becomes helping them navigate the system and making sure nothing slips through the cracks.

Simple tools can help. Some patients do well with prescription bottles that have timer caps, which remind them when it’s time for the next dose. Others like having a printed summary of their medications and visits, since it’s easy to forget details once they leave the office. Families often appreciate being kept in the loop about any changes in treatment, especially if they aren’t nearby.

Technology was already making inroads by 2011. I had patients who carried their medical records on a small device attached to their key ring so that if they ended up in an emergency room, their history could be accessed quickly (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2009). Even basic tools like calendars, written reminders, and updated medication lists can reduce errors and stress.

Home visits give another layer of insight. Seeing the living space allows me to suggest equipment that supports independence. A shower chair or grab bars in the bathroom can prevent falls. A raised toilet seat or a bed rail can make daily tasks safer. Some patients benefit from a hospital-type bed that can be adjusted for breathing or comfort, or from an over-bed table to help with meals and reading. These small changes can make a big difference in whether someone can stay at home comfortably.

I’ve also seen how involving patients in decisions about their care improves outcomes. When they feel ownership—whether it’s deciding which pill organizer to use or whether to accept in-home care—they’re more likely to follow through. At the same time, we have to be cautious about medications that increase fall risk, such as sedatives, and review them regularly (Institute of Medicine, 2006).

Helping older adults remain independent at home is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. It’s about supporting both the patient and their family, finding the right balance of medical care, safety, and autonomy.

Scott Rennie, D.O.
Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.

Sources:

  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. “Personal Health Records: Improving Patient Safety.” AHRQ, 2009.

  • Institute of Medicine. “Preventing Medication Errors.” National Academies Press, 2006.

Two airport assistance wheelchairs next to large window showing planes and tarmac

Nine Accessible Travel Tips for Your Elderly Parents

On By Dr. Scott RennieIn Senior & Caregiver HealthLeave a comment
by Candy B. Harrington Are your elderly parents reluctant to travel because they just don’t get around like they used to? Well they’re not alone. According to the 2002 US Census, nearly 23 million people had difficulty standing for an hour, while 21 million people had difficulty walking up a flight of 10 stairs. But that doesn’t mean globetrotting is out of the question for senior citizens; in fact, with a little advance planning your parents can still enjoy travel. Here are a few tips to share with them, before they make their next trip. • Even if you can walk, reserve an airport wheelchair if you tire easily. Some airports are huge and you could easily put on several miles while in transit, and arrive at your destination exhausted. • You are not required to remove your shoes at the airport security checkpoint if you are physically unable to do so. Just tell the TSA agent that you can’t do it, and they will hand wand you and swab your shoes for explosive residue. • Tell the gate agent that you would like to pre-board the aircraft. This means that you will board before the rest of the passengers. Pre-boarding allows you to take things at your own pace, and gives you a little extra time to get settled in your seat. • If you need wheelchair-accessible transportation from the airport to your hotel, choose a hotel that has a free airport shuttle. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, if the hotel provides free transfers, they must also provide free accessible transfers, even if they have to contract out the service. • Cruises are a great accessible travel choice, but new cruise ships are huge and it can be very tiring to walk from one end to the other. If fatigue is a factor, rent an electric scooter and have it delivered directly to your stateroom. Check with the cruise line for their approved vendors. • If you drive to the cruise departure port, remember that parking is free at all Florida cruise ship piers for cruise passengers who have permanent accessibility modifications installed on their vehicles. • If you tire easily, be sure and request a hotel room near the elevator. For safety’s sake, it’s also advisable to ask for a ground floor room whenever possible. • Remember, in Europe the first floor is not at street level, so if you want a room at street level, ask for a room on the ground floor. Many small European hotels only have stairway access to the first floor, and if they have an elevator it’s usually very small. • Don’t forget to pack your accessible parking placard with you whenever you travel. It’s good everywhere in the US (except for New York City), Canada and Europe. Finally, encourage your parents to do extensive pre-trip research, and expand their horizons. There really are a lot of accessible travel offerings out there and the internet is a great place to find updated access information. Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolt Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about accessible travel issues atwww.BarrierFreeTravels.com. See Related Accessible Travel Articles For tips and information about finding and booking an accessible hotel room, read Finding an Accessible Room Beyond ADA Compliance. If you’d prefer to rent a house instead, read In Search of an Accessible Vacation Home.

Scott Rennie, D.O.
Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.