Having high blood pressure is common in elderly adults. As people age, their blood vessels get less flexible, causing blood pressure to go up. This can be true even in healthy individuals who eat well, exercise regularly, and get the recommended amount of sleep.
While high blood pressure often doesn’t have any immediate signs, it can be a deadly condition to have. Controlling high blood pressure is important for both heart health and brain health. When it’s not controlled, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, eye problems, and even dementia.
If your loved one has high blood pressure, he’s probably been instructed on several lifestyle changes to control his blood pressure. With the help of an elder care provider, you may be assisting him in eating better, being more active, and reducing the stress in his life. An elder care provider can help with meal prep and join him as he walks around the neighborhood, both of which can reduce stress.
But your loved one might also be prescribed high blood pressure medication if simple lifestyle changes are not enough (or if his high blood pressure isn’t due to any unhealthy lifestyle choices). In those cases, taking his medication is important to keep his blood pressure under control and keep him healthy. Help your loved one get the best results from their high blood pressure medication by following these steps.
Take the medication at the same time every day.
Your loved one should strive to take his medication every day at the same time. It should become part of his routine so that it’s not forgotten about until hours later or completely. Making it part of his morning routine can be a good way to make sure he remembers it. Sometimes, a pill container that has the days of the week and then having it filled for the week, will give him a place to check if he can’t remember if he took his medication or not. You can also ask his elder care provider to check the pill box when she visits to make sure the medication from each day has been taken.
Follow the doctor’s suggestions for taking the medication.
If the doctor suggests it should be taken with food or a full glass of water, have your loved one take his medication that way. If the doctor says there are certain vitamins or supplements he should not take at the same time as the blood pressure medication, have him space those out till later in the day.
Keep the prescription filled.
Add a reminder to your calendar to refill the prescription before it runs out. Many pharmacies will send out reminders as well. If your loved one will be traveling when it normally needs to be refilled, get it refilled early. Also, remember to bring enough to cover the entire trip plus a few extra days in case something happens and your loved one doesn’t return home when he’s expecting to.
Always tell all doctors/dentists/clinics.
Don’t let your loved one neglect to tell others about his medication when he’s having surgery, a dental procedure, or visiting a new clinic.
Keeping consistent with high blood pressure medication can help keep your loved one safe and well.
Home Care Matters Provides Award-Winning, Trusted Home Care in Bibb, Butts, Crawford, Henry, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Monroe, Spalding, and Upson Counties. Call today: (478)-994-9535.
We serve the towns of Forsyth, Macon, McDonough, Griffin, Jonesboro, Roberta, Barnesville, Gray, Thomaston, and Jackson.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
- The Stages Of Alzheimer’s Family Caregivers Should Know - September 7, 2023
- Help For Seniors Who Have Anxiety At Night - August 25, 2023
- Going Green: Helping Seniors Reap the Benefits - August 9, 2023