Grandma's Pill Box

Do you know what's in Grandma's pill box? Better yet does grandma know what's in her pill box? Our older adults are living longer and independently but is it always safe? Not too long ago, my 92 year old grandmother was admitted to the hospital for dehydration. She doesn't live alone but she is very independent! I stayed overnight with her on her last night at the hospital and this is when I realized something about her medications. Apparently my relatives set up her pill box and she in turn pours them back in the bottle and takes them how she pleases. This is the problem that resulted in her hospitalization. She got dehydrated from taking too much Lasix (water pill). My resolution was to have them set up her pills in the pill box and then take the pill bottles with them. This way she wouldn't be able to pour them back in. She probably has no clue which pill is which.

Older adults have a slower metabolism, therefore pills stay in their bloodstream longer than normal. If this had been another medication like Digoxin which slows the heart rate or even a blood thinner it could have been more serious .If you have an older loved one and they are taking their own medications, it is advisable that someone knows what they should be taking and set up a pill box for them. Who knows, it could be a life saving task!

All comments are greatly appreciated!!!