Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare | Health Scene | Fall 2015

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AS A CAREGIVER, you have a lot of responsibilities—
one of which may be helping your loved one manage
medications. This can be a complex task, particularly if
he or she takes multiple meds.
Here are six ways to help you keep things safe and
simple:
1Make a list of every medication your loved one takes.
This includes prescription and non-prescription drugs, as
well as nutritional supplements and vitamins. Give a copy
to each healthcare provider that your loved one sees. And
keep one with you in case of an emergency.
2Ask a doctor or pharmacist to review that list at least
once a year and look for possible drug interactions.
3Be sure you know what each medication is for and
how each one should be given. You might want to use a
pill box organizer to help keep everything straight.
4If a medication has to be injected or requires special
At a glance:
A cold versus the flu
Any way you cut it, catching a cold or the flu is a pretty
crummy deal. And even though they’re different ill-
nesses, the symptoms can be similar. So telling them
apart sometimes takes a bit of detective work on your
part. The following chart may help you sort it out.
By far the best way to help prevent the flu is to get
immunized as soon as the vaccine becomes available
each fall. Vaccines can be given as shots or as a nasal
spray—your doctor can help you decide what’s right for
you.
You can also reduce your risk of catching a cold or
the flu by washing your hands, especially before touch-
ing your face. And as much as possible, try keeping your
distance when someone’s ill.
Fend off the flu! Call your physician to
schedule a flu shot. Need a provider? Visit
.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services
YOU MIGHT HAVE: IF YOU HAVE:
A cold.
(Symptoms are usu-
ally milder than those
of the flu and come
on gradually.)
Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing,
scratchy throat, hacking cough.
Watery eyes.
Mild headache.
Mild fever (more common in
children than in adults).
Light body aches.
The flu.
(Symptoms often hit
suddenly—and can
really knock you
down.)
High fever (102 degrees or
above).
Muscle aches and chills, ex-
treme tiredness, sore throat.
Severe cough.
Headache.
Upset stomach, vomiting or
diarrhea (all more common in
children than in adults).
Stuffy nose (sometimes a
symptom).
preparation at home, be sure you learn the proper tech-
nique. Work with your loved one’s doctor or nurse until
you’re comfortable doing it yourself.
5Store medications together, if possible. That way,
they’ll be easy to find in an emergency. Look for a cool,
dry place out of reach of children. Medications that need
to be chilled should have their own spot in the refrigerator.
6Never share your loved one’s medicine with others.
Properly discard any leftover or expired medicines. Ask
a pharmacist for instructions if you don’t know how to
do this.
Sources: Family Caregiver Alliance; U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FOR CAREGIVERS
6 MEDICATION SAFETY TIPS
How much do you know about
medication safety? Find out at
HEALTH SCENE is
published as a community
service for the friends and
patrons of GOLDEN VALLEY
MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE,
1600 N. Second St.,
Clinton, MO 64735,
telephone 660-885-5511,
website .
Randy S. Wertz
CEO
Information in HEALTH
SCENE comes from a wide
range of medical experts.
If you have any concerns
or questions about
specific content that may
affect your health, please
contact your healthcare
provider.
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2015 © Coffey Communications,
Inc. All rights reserved.
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