When seniors come to certain age, their health might be dependent on the regular intake of medications. So, it can be frustrating when your loved one refuses to take pills. This can put their well being in danger. However, there is always a reason why an elderly adult won’t take their meds.; below we have listed four of the most common.
Why Do Older Adults Refuse Their Medications?
Side Effects
When seniors start taking medications regularly, there is a chance that their body won’t be able to adapt. Some drugs will cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and dry mouth. When the elderly feel some of these symptoms, they find it hard to follow a medications regimen. Some seniors feel so bad that they believe the medications aren’t helping them.
Insufficient Health Benefits
Some drugs don’t have an immediate effect, but it takes them some time to work. Elderly adults often mistake this as the medication’s ineffectiveness and stop using them. The right thing to do would be to take time and give the meds time to work. If they don’t provide results for an extended period, then contacting a doctor would be the right thing to do. Taking medications is in the best interest of the elderly, and they shouldn’t stop on their own.
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Complex Regimens
Some doctors give complex instructions for medication use. Elderly adults often feel confused by them, and this might lead to a stoppage in use. As an example, forgetting whether the meds should be taken before or after eating might cause seniors to miss a dose or stop taking medications altogether. Making an easy schedule for your loved one might benefit their health in the long run.
Memory Loss
Some seniors simply forgot to take the prescribed dose. This is often the case with patients who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. If your elderly loved one has one of these diseases, you should consider hiring a caregiver for them.
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