Medical Alarm Key For Good Health And Long Life
Having a medical
alarm for taking medications is something many
seniors living alone must have. Not taking medicinesas directed is a common problem and is the cause of nearly ten percent of senior
hospitalizations. There are a few things you can do to help you better manage your
medicines.
It helps if you fully understand how each medication works and what the
potential side effects are. It's importantto remember that medications, including
over the counter drugs and herbs, can interact negatively with each other.
When you are taking medications, don't add herbs to your daily
routine until you have discussed it with your doctor.
Even adding baby aspirin can cause complications
if you have certain medical conditions or are taking prescription blood thinners, so it is always best to err
on the side of caution and not take anything until you have verified it is safe to do
so. Make
sure each of your doctors is aware of the drugs and supplements you take.
Maintain a current list of all your
medications and take it with you to each specialist. For example, your eye doctor may prescribe
drops for glaucoma that your family doctor should know about because some medications should be avoided when
taking glaucoma drops.
When you get a new prescription from
your doctor, be sure you understand how to properly take it and what side effects might occur. You should
especially inquire as to whether the drug could increase your risk of falling if you live alone. Find out what
might happen if you miss a dose or if you take too much.
Having a medical alarm is the key to good health because they can keep medical
conditions in check and prevent serious complications. However, many people living alone find it very difficult to
remember to take medications, or to take them on schedule. Therefore it is
helpful to have a reminder system in place.
Automatic Pill Dispenser
Using an automatic pill dispenser can be a big help. Sit down the
beginning of each week and divide your daily doses into the proper slots.
That way you can tell at a glance if you have already taken your pills for the day or if you forgot. These
dispensers have alarms that will alert you when it is time to take your medication.
Medication Alarm
Clock
If you're missing your medication then using the voice activated alarm clock
might do the trick! You can easily record your own voice to set up your medication alarm for up to 10 days. Set
your reminders on a weekly, daily or today only.
Medical Alert Watches
These watches are pretty handy to
have. Some have up to12 Daily Alarms, a snooze button and a Medical ALERT ID databank. These watches will take the
worry out of taking medications, so you can have more time to enjoy the important things in
life.
Philips Lifeline
Is a good example of a medical alarm
system that will help you remember to take your pills on time. To use this system you load the pills into the
device and when it is time to take them, it sounds an alarm to remind you. You simply depress the lever and your
pills are dispensed. However, if you don't respond to the alarm and press the lever, the Philips Lifeline
Medication dispenser calls a predetermined number so a family member or friend can check on you and remind you to
take your pills.
When you use a pill organizer, you will mix your daily medications but otherwise,
mixing pills together should always be avoided. Store your medications in their original bottles with a proper
label. Discard medication once it reaches the expiration date. Never take medicine prescribed for someone else and
don't take more medication than you should just because you think you need it. In addition, always take the full
course of medicine, especially antibiotics, even though you may be feeling much better.
Medications can help you life a fuller and longer life. The key is to take them as
prescribed and to remember to take them. When taking medications, there is always some risk of something going
wrong and sometimes the results can be serious, like if you miss heart medication or insulin. Therefore it is
always a good idea to have a home medical alert system in place so you can get help in a hurry if you need
it.
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