Questions to Ask Your Parent’s Doctor About Side Effects for Medications and Treatments
Homecare Philadelphia PA
Most senior adults are taking at least one prescription medication or undergoing at least one type of treatment for a health complication or condition. This means that as a family caregiver you are likely to experience them getting a new medication or treatment prescription. It is important that they understand this medication or treatment in the best way possible in order to ensure that they get the most benefit. Part of this is understanding the side effects that are possible when your parent is taking the medication or undergoing the treatment. This will help to prepare them for what they might experience, and you for giving them the right type of homecare and support to help them through safely and healthily.
Some questions that you should ask your parent’s doctor about side effects that they might experience when taking a new medication or undergoing a new treatment include:
• What are the most common side effects? Knowing the effects that are most likely to occur will help your parent to prepare for the effects of the medication or treatment that have the highest chance of happening. Knowing these will also take away some of the stress that can occur when your parent starts experiencing other symptoms when undergoing treatment.
• What other effects might occur? Simply because a side effect is not one of the most common experienced does not mean that it is particularly dangerous or unexpected. It is important to know these as well so that you can keep your parent from getting upset or overreacting if they do experience one of these effects.
• What might be dangerous? Not all side effects are normal or expected. Make sure that you know what effects might indicate a serious or even dangerous reaction to the medication or treatment. This will allow you to look out for these signs and symptoms so that if they arise you can ensure your parent gets the prompt and effective response that they need.
If your aging loved one has recently started a new medication or treatment and you are looking for ways to help them manage their condition and continue to live the highest quality of life possible as they age in place, now is the time for you to start elder homecare for them. An elderly homecare services provider can be with your aging parent as often as needed to provide them with a highly personalized set of services tailored to managing their individual needs, challenges, and limitations. This means that they will be able to live the lifestyle that they desire and deserve and stay safe, healthy, and comfortable while also maintaining as much independence and activity as possible throughout their later years.
When it comes to supporting them through their treatments this can include reminders for when and how to take their medication, emotional support to help them through, or encouraging them to keep up with the guidelines and restrictions given by the doctor pertaining to those medications and treatments. Through this support your parent can feel more confident about handling their treatments and more empowered to take on this condition and still live the quality of life that they desire.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Philadelphia PA, please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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