4 Must-Follow Patient Safety Tips for Seniors

You may already know that when it comes to hiring a professional caregiver, it takes time and effort to establish a relationship in which all parties feel confident and comfortable. Not to mention that elder abuse and neglect is a phenomenon that affects as many as 10 percent of seniors nationwide. (Note: If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from elder abuse or neglect, contact your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible.)

 For these reasons, if you do require assistance from a professional caregiver, you will want to:

• Thoroughly assess their experience and credentials (ideally enlisting help from a loved one or another person you trust)
• Clearly communicate your needs, concerns, and preferences for care
• Acknowledge that this a working relationship that requires time, effort, and care to establish

The more you invest in making this relationship a positive one (which will surely require due diligence and dedication), the more you can be at ease during this stage in your life.

It is especially important for seniors—and their families and care teams—to mitigate fall risks. To help you do just that, be sure to:

• Maintain a clean and clear space (opens in new window) that is as organized and clutter-free as possible
• Remove potential hazards from the floor and items that can potentially fall down, as well as any other heavy items that may drop and cause harm
• Ensure proper lighting in your living space (including night lights, tracking lights, outdoor lights, etc.)
• Enlist the help of your caregiver as needed when bathing, using the toilet, and in adverse weather conditions

Medication reconciliation is another key element of patient safety, particularly for seniors. This will require oversight from your physician, your caretaker, as well as yourself.

It will typically entail:

• Making sure that your prescriptions are up to date and have not expired
• Ensuring that none of your medications work against each other in order to reduce the risks of polypharmacy
• Letting your physician know exactly which medications you take and have accessible at home
• Taking all medicine consistently and as indicated

You may also benefit from writing your full medication intake down and placing this list (as well as your prescriptions) in one easily accessible location. It may also be helpful to have a backup copy or a photo of this information in case your list gets lost or misplaced.

In addition, if you have any concerns about your medication intake or require help cleaning out and organizing your medicine cabinet, consult your physician for clarity and further assistance.

In order to boost the outcome of each visit or correspondence with your physician, we suggest writing down any questions or concerns before your visit. Doing so will not only allow you to get the answers and assistance you need, but also help you avoid forgetting to discuss important information about your health and well-being.

Content contained on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your health care provider before beginning any new fitness or dietary plan. References provided are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement of any websites or other sources. Should you have any health-related questions, you should contact your health care provider.