Introduction At Freedom Home Care, we understand the importance of informed medication use for senior citizens. This concise guide focuses on Tylenol, a common medication, and its side effects in the elderly. Understanding Tylenol Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is widely used for pain relief and fever reduction. However, its impact on the elderly requires special attention due to changes in their body’s drug metabolism. Key Considerations for Elderly Patients Physiological Changes: Decreased liver and kidney function in the elderly affect drug processing. Common Side Effects: These include nausea, dizziness, and rare skin reactions. Digestive Impact: Prolonged use increases the risk of
Read More
Archives for Medication
Taking Your Medication Correctly is Important
With Talk About Your Medicines Month (TAYMM) in full swing, there is no better time than now to have a conversation about medications. This year for TAYMM, the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) is highlighting the importance of knowing how different foods and drinks may affect different medicines with the “Think Before You Drink” theme. While this is true with individuals of all ages, it is especially important in older adults, as aging increases sensitivity to alcohol and medications’ effects. According to NCPIE, there are at least 150 medications that will not work effectively when alcohol interacts
Read More
Prescription Medications Can Effect Your Ability to Drive
At some point in their lives, nearly every American will have taken some form of prescription medication. The statistics increase with age, as seniors between 65-79 are given more than 27 prescriptions each year. And according to The IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, many take five or more different types of medications a day. For millions of Americans, taking prescriptions in order to treat temporary or chronic health conditions, is a fact of life. But when consuming these medications before driving, the results can be potentially dangerous. And depending on the type and dose, once in your system, they
Read More
7 Essential Vaccines that Help Protect Your Senior
According to the Center for Disease Control, about 1 million people contract Shingles every year – with 60 percent of those being age 60 years and older. Of all of the seniors who develop flu-like symptoms each year, about 65 percent are hospitalized as a result. Combined, both pneumonia and the flu together are rated the 7th leading cause of death among Americans age 65 and older. The risk of older loved ones suffering from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease due to influenza is 20 percent higher without vaccination, in addition to a 50 percent greater likelihood of loss of life.
Read More
Can Your Heartburn Medication Lead to Dementia?
Proton pump inhibitors. Most people aren’t familiar with these drugs by their medical name. But they are very well known for relieving heartburn and indigestion, treating peptic ulcer disease, GERD, Barrett Syndrome, and a number of other conditions. In the past, experts have recommended that the lowest dosage be taken as needed because of the potential long-terms effects the drugs could have on the bones, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system. And according to a report published on Feb. 15 in the journal JAMA Neurology, studies conducted in Germany suggest that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) might actually increase the risk of dementia in
Read More
Yoga Offers Seniors a Multitude of Health Benefits
As a culture we may not be able to agree on much, but one thing we can all agree on is that yoga is good for you. Nobody knows this better than Susan Wolf Smolin, a certified yoga instructor who offers therapeutic and rehabilitative instruction to people of all types – from the prenatal to the elderly. Susan has over 20 years of experience; she discovered her passion for yoga shortly before her own father moved into an assisted living home. Susan began teaching classes in chair yoga to the seniors there and quickly discovered the life-changing benefits yoga can
Read More
Over the Counter Meds Save Time but Cause Long Term Memory Problems
For anyone who goes to over-the-counter medications to cure allergies or the sniffles, this could be bad news: studies now show that medications like Benadryl can increase your chances for Alzheimer’s or long term memory problems. This also applies to some anti-depressants and sleep aids, among other popular OTC products. This data is inferred from the idea that acetylcholine, a key chemical messenger in the brain, can’t travel freely within the body when under the influence of some medications, and long term exposure to these medications can result in dementia. The lead of the study, Professor Shelly Gray of the
Read More
Help Seniors Avoid Medication Mishaps
How many times have you gone to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription, nodded to the pharmacist without really listening, then left with the bottle of pills without really knowing the details? Have you ever asked questions or read the accompanying materials? Have you talked thoroughly with your doctor about the medications you are on and what your options are? Now is the time to improve your diligence when it comes to your medication. Here are a few things that you should be doing when picking up your prescriptions: Tell the pharmacist about any medications you are currently taking.
Read More
Medications Found to Increase Risk of Falling
Falling is the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for seniors. Head injuries and hip fractures are two of the worst and most prevalent results of a bad fall. And some medications increase the risk of injury for seniors. We know that some medications can increase the chances of falling, but often seniors rely on their doctors to tell them if their medicine will put them at risk. Instead, seniors should take matters into their own hands. Research has been done to discover which drugs cause the most falls. The common link between the main offenders is that they
Read More
What Caregivers Should Know About Medical Devices
Caregivers help people with all kinds of health challenges. Many of them end up caring for seniors who develop mobility issues as they age and may require joint replacement. Obesity and arthritis are common ailments that lead to these mobility issues, which limit seniors’ ability to complete everyday tasks. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and mobility issues are very common in people over the age of 65. Caregivers who see people struggle with these conditions may also see the mental toll they take. When these ailments begin to seriously compromise a person’s quality of
Read More
