Home Care CareGivers

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As we age doctors prescribe more and more prescriptions. There are so many kinds, side effects, restrictions and cautions that it becomes difficult to keep it all straight and be safe. Your caregiver can help with forms to keep track. You should have a master list, a log of drugs taken each day, and a separate sheet for medications that have serious side effects or special instructions. Included here are 5 Medication Tips to keep it all straight.

The Medications List

This form should have the basic information about the medication including times to be taken and description. The information included should have name, doctor’s name, doctor’s phone and address, pharmacy phone and address. The date of birth and social security number should be here because this is how pharmacy computers identify the patient for refills.

The Medications Side Effects Sheet

This form is just what it says. The patients name, address and phone should be here of course. There should also be a listing of drug names, dosage, frequency, and classification. There should be plenty of space for side effects, special instructions and cautions. There may be one drug per page.

7 Tips For Medications

Medication Tip #1

Keep your lists of medications current as prescriptions are added and removed. Keep several copies for your reference and be sure to take one with you for each doctor visit. Another helpful idea is the list the medications by which ones are taken in the morning, at dinner, and at bedtime.

Medication Tip #2

Be sure the medications are taken the way your health provider tells you to. Your medications are intended to help improve your health now and to prevent health problems in the future.

Medication Tip #3

Be sure to take your medications even if you feel fine. Some medications are intended to run for a specific amount of time and some take a step down process to stop the medication. Most medications however, are intended to help you feel better so don’t stop without consulting your health care professional.

Medication Tip #4

• Keep organized.
• Have your medication list with you at all times and posted around the house where you take medications, Kitchen, bathroom etc.
• Keep your list divided into AM, PM, and bedtime if you have medications taken at several times a day.
• Use a pill box organizer laid out for a week and labeled for each day. You still have to mark which ones are for different times a day.

Medication Tip #5

Always talk to your pharmacist and health care provider about your entire list of medications. Often times you will have medications prescribed by several different health care providers. Be sure they all know your entire list of medications. Your pharmacist can also coordinate all of your medications in one place for you. This is especially important when you add a new one.

Medication Tip #6

Check your medication bottle label. Verify that the medication is the correct one, correct dosage and note any special instruction. The label will also tell you how many times you may refill it, the date it was filled and the date the prescription was written.

Medication Tip #7

When you need help understanding your medications, take an advocate with you to the doctors’ office and the pharmacy. Your GareGiver should be at each appointment with you. As an advocate, your CareGiver will be sure all instructions, side effects, and cautions are understood and written down. The CareGiver can then help with the lists you will keep as will as organizing you pill boxes for each week.

Be absolutely sure you understand everything about your medications. It is your responsibility to regulate your own health so if you don’t understand everything at the doctors’ be sure to have an advocate with you.

Medication Summary

• Learn about your medications and why you take each one.
• Talk with your health care provider and pharmacist about all your medications.
• Keep your medication lists up to date and handy.
• Organize your medications using a pillbox.
• Read and understand your medications labels.
• Take a CareGiver with you as an advocate to doctors’ appointments and to the pharmacy.

CareGivers from Care-To-Go are trained to assist the Senior in monitoring prescription drug schedules. Because Seniors have some difficulty with eyesight, hearing, judgment and memory, it is critical to have an advocate at the Doctor’s office and at home on a daily basis.

Care-To-Go can be reached at 480-284-8611 or 800-818-0407

Many Vets are missing out on federal funds that are available for Veterans required care in Assisted living facilities, Skilled nursing homes or In-Home Care provided by a CareGiver.

The Veteran may qualify for Aid and Attendance (A&A) funding from the Veterans Administration. There are Service Requirements, Eligible Periods of War, Disability Requirements, as well as Income and Asset Requirements.

This article presents a brief overview of benefits and the requirements for qualification. For complete information contact the Veterans Administration and for local assistance contact Bob Waltz (480) 580-1444 or on the web at vaausa.com.

Aid & Attendance Program

The Aid & Attendance pension program is a benefit that may be available for veterans that are at 65 years old. The program is designed to assist with the cost of long term care in a facility or in the veterans own home. In order to qualify the veteran or surviving spouse must meet the service and income requirements.

Disability Requirements

A veteran may be eligible for A&A when:

• The veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in daily living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing or protecting themselves from everyday hazards.
• The veteran is bedridden
• The veteran is a patient in a nursing home or mental or physical incapacity.
• The veteran is blind, or so nearly so as to have corrected vision of 5/200 or less, in both eyes.

Eligible Periods Of War

• World War I        4/6/1917 to 11/11/1918
• World War II       12/7/1941 to 12/31/1946
• Korean War         6/27/1950 to 1/31/1955
• Vietnam War       8/5/1964 to 5/7/1975
• Persian Gulf War  8/2/1990 to present

Income and Asset Requirements

The income and net worth of the veteran must be approved by the VA Case worker assessing the veterans financial situation. Unlike Medicare, the requirements for veteran qualification are not as specific and up to the decision of the VA Caseworker. VA benefits are a need-based benefit and a large net worth or high income might affect the eligibility.