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HomeCare Medication and Home Safety Tips

a nurse assists an elderly man walking outside in a park

At Covenant HomeCare, we are committed to ensuring our patients’ long-term health and safety as they rehabilitate. However, as much as we’d like to be with you every step of the way, there are typically moments in recovery when patients will be without a HomeCare provider. For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of medication and home safety tips for the patient and the caretaker.

5 Useful HomeCare Medication Safety Tips:

Medication safety is extremely important and can help ensure you and your loved ones stay on track with the recovery journey. Here are 5 useful medication safety tips you can implement to help with your rehabilitation.

  1. Refill Prescriptions

    This rule is dual-sided. If you’re on a medication regimen, you should not only refill your prescriptions but also check your prescriptions often to avoid running out.

     

  2. Be Candid with Your Pharmacist

    There should be no secrecy between you and your healthcare providers. If a pharmacist is helping you on your rehabilitation journey, try to be as open as possible about the medicines or supplements you take as well as the frequency. 

  3. Speak to a Doctor or Nurse about Storage

    Storing your medicine correctly ensures that the medicine is fully effective. Medicine is usually stored together – sometimes in a pill organizer. However, there may be different rules depending on the types of medicine you have. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any places that experience regular changes in humidity and temperature – like bathrooms. 

    If you have a question about your medicine storage practices, reach out to your healthcare provider. 

  4. Follow the Instructions

    If the label reads, “Take medicine after a meal with 8 ounces of water,” you should follow those instructions unless told otherwise. If not, it can interfere with the effectiveness of other medicines or cause internal harm. 

    Additionally, do not share the medicine with other family members or friends, as they could have a serious allergic reaction. 

  5. Dispose of Unused or Expired Medication

    We have a tendency to hold onto things, and it’s no different with the medicines we take. Often, medications that should have been disposed of remain in our medicine cabinets long after treatment. If you’re in a HomeCare program and you have unused medication remaining, discard what you have left. If you experience the symptoms of your treated illness flaring up, do not take expired medicine and instead reach out to your healthcare provider. 

    Don’t flush the medicine. Instead, reach out to your provider or local pharmacy and see if there are any takeback programs for safe medication disposal.

HomeCare Home Safety Guidelines

Ensuring your medication is safely used, stored, and disposed of is essential. However, making sure your home is adequately prepped for your recovery journey is just as important. Here are 5 tips for making your home as safe and secure as possible for recovery. 

  1. Remove Obstructions

    From throw rugs to oversized entertainment centers, i’s important to make certain that there is nothing preventing you from recovering. It’s important that you remove any obstructions in your household that you can run into, slip on, or trip over during your rehab process.

    Remember to clear passageways, keep stairs clear of obstructions, and put extra items in storage. 

  2. Keep Electric Equipment Secure

    Electrical cords should not have exposed wiring, and cover plates should be placed on all outlets, if not already there. Additionally, if you’re using electrical equipment, use a three-pronged outlet or a ground adapter if a three-pronged outlet is unavailable.

  3. Keep Fire Away from Oxygen Tanks

    We strongly advise against smoking or lighting a match near an oxygen tank. In addition, if gas appliances are being used, the oxygen should not be anywhere nearby these appliances, as it is highly combustible. 

    In case of power failure, use your portable oxygen device and reach out to your utility company to stress the importance of having electricity in your home.

  4. Do Not Operate Kerosene Heaters Without Ventilation

    Proper ventilation is essential if you use kerosene heaters to keep yourself or a loved one warm during the winter. If they are operated in a small room or inadequately ventilated area, the oxygen in the room can be reduced to a dangerous amount.

  5. Use Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

    In case of fire or a carbon monoxide leak, every home should have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. With these devices, you can make certain you’ll be alerted to any instances of smoke, fire, or leaks. If you can not afford a smoke and carbon monoxide detector, contact your local fire department for assistance.

Covenant HomeCare Commitment 

Covenant HomeCare is committed to providing the highest level of care for our patients for both the short and long term. Contact us today if you have questions about your rehabilitation plan, medication information, or how to prepare your home! 

(865) 374-0600

Covenant Health