Medication management is an important aspect of care in Home Care. Ensuring you receive precise medications and dosages at the right time is crucial for your health and well-being. It can also be a complex and time-consuming task as different medications can create a repetitive schedule. Below, we will dive further into the best practices for managing medications at home.

Proper Documentation:

It is important to have a complete and accurate record of all medications, including the name, dosage, frequency, and any step-by-step instructions. This information should be kept in a Medication Administration Record (MAR), which should be updated whenever there are changes your medication regimen.

Medication Administration:

As a consumer you can self-administer medications. If you are paying someone to administer medication, it should be a nurse, and prompting can be done with someone with a medication competency.  It is best practice to have nurses who are familiar with your regimens and any potential interactions or side effects.

Medications should be administered at the correct time with the right dosage and monitor your wellbeing post consumption. If someone is administering your medication you will require a medication chart to be signed at each administration. For this reason, unless you have a coordinator that can provide a medication chart, Trilogy Care does not engage in medication administration.

Communication:

Effective communication is essential for safe medication management. It is best to communicate your needs and any issues or changes about your medication regime, with your home care provider, GP and authorised representatives.

Medication Storage:

Medications should be stored in a secure location, away from light and moisture, at the correct temperature. Regularly check the expiration dates of all medications and dispose of any that have expired. For example, return to your local pharmacy, who provide a free and convenient way to dispose of your unwanted medicines responsibly.

Medication Errors:

Medication errors can occur when the wrong medication has been consumed, the wrong dosage, taken at the wrong time. To prevent errors, double-check the MAR and the medication before administering, and report any errors to your home care provider.

Safety Measures:

To ensure the safe handling and administration of medications, it is best to follow instructions from your GP. This may include the use of medication carts, barcode scanning systems, and other technology to help prevent errors.

By following these best practices, your provider can help ensure that you receive the correct medications at the right time and in the right dosage, which can improve your health and well-being.

If you have any further questions, contact Trilogy Care today on 1300 459 190.

As Australian's age, their care needs may become more complex and require specialist treatment. It is important for older Australian's to recognise what the best treatment is for them, so they can continue to live healthily and independently. A question we often receive is "what do Geriatricians do?" This article will break down the differences between Geriatricians and General Practitioners (GPs).

What does a GP do?

GPs treat a wide range of mild, chronic, and acute medical conditions. They will carry out comprehensive medical assessments, contribute to care plans and collaborate with pharmacists on medication management, and provide recommendations on whether extra is required.

What is a Geriatrician?

So what do Geriatricians do exactly? A Geriatrician is a doctor who provides care for older people. Geriatricians are experts at treating multiple conditions and have had specialist training in geriatric medicine. They can assist with integrating older Australians care if dealing with multiple complex health issues.

What do Geriatricians treat?

Some older adults have complex health needs. They might have many medical problems and use different types of medicine. They are also more likely to be frail, to have falls and to have conditions like dementia or heart disease.

In many cases, they act as the primary care for an elderly individual and the primary doctor who knows the overall medical history, current conditions, treatments, and medication list for a patient.

Most Geriatricians have expertise in dealing with people who have multiple conditions. However some of them specialise in particular areas and treating certain conditions, including dementia.

Geriatricians help manage (but not limited to):

• Dementia and other cognitive problems
• Problems with mobility and frailty
• Incontinence
• Nutrition
• Medicines, as well as other medical issues

A Geriatrician will normally conduct a comprehensive assessment to assess your physical, mental, and social situation so they can provide the best type of care.

Benefits of Home Visiting Geriatricians

Geriatricians work in hospitals, clinics, residential aged care facilities, as well as home visits for clients depending on the type of care required.

There are many benefits of home visits for seniors:

• Comfort: The primary benefit of home care is that loved ones can stay at home for longer, ultimately the place that is the most comfortable and familiar. This allows seniors to use their own amenities, sleep in their own bed, and continue their daily routines. Residing in a supportive, familiar care environment can be beneficial for clients receiving care especially for those suffering from progressive conditions like dementia.

• Personalised care: Rather than having to adjust and abide to scheduling along with routines in a care facility. A home care visit allows a geriatrician to provide a flexible home care plan to fully suite a senior Australian's needs.

• Independence: Staying at home for longer while receiving care can maintain a sense of independence for seniors. Depending on the type and duration of care required on a day-to-day basis, allowing clients to feel independent from their carer and family members is important to seniors.

Availability between Geriatricians and GPs

GPs are more accessible across Australia through telehealth, websites, emails, and even online platforms if preferred.

As Geriatricians are a specialist doctor, they are less available and frequent, even more so in rural and remote areas. They can be accessed similarly to GPs, who can also refer Geriatricians if specialist treatment is required to take care of a loved one's complex health issue. We hope this article has helped you answer the question, "what do Geriatricians do?"

For more information regarding Home Care, go to our resources page.

For more information on the Home Care Package program, go to our FAQs.