Educate Before You Medicate

Educate Before You Medicate, FDA Information Site attached!

It is very important for you to know about the consumer’s medications. Read carefully.

As a Direct Care Staff/Provider you play an important role in making sure the consumer receives the best care. Let’s talk!

Ask questions when you take the consumer to the doctor's office. Also be sure to pass the information on to Management and co-workers.

If the doctor writes a prescription for the consumer, make sure you understand what the medicine is for and how to take it. Your pharmacist is also an excellent source of information about the prescribed medications.

Remember, if there's something that you don't understand, ask, and follow these tips:

Keep an up-to-date list of all drugs you are taking (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, ect). Keep this list of over-the-counter medications that don’t have a prescription label.

Have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy every time. This makes it possible for them to check for drug interactions. Transferring prescriptions between pharmacies can be dangerous and is not recommended.

Make sure all your doctors, dentist and pharmacy have your medication allergies on file.

Bring all your medications to your doctor visit at least once per year. Include all medications you take (including prescriptions, over-the-counter, vitamins, ect). Same group homes requires you take the Consumer Information Book.

Understand the conditions the consumer is being treated for. Having knowledge about the diseases/illnesses and how they are treated will help you as a caregiver to understand the importance of your medicines and any other lifestyle changes it will make to improve the health of the consumer.

Follow the Provider/group home guidelines and or rules to forward new prescribed medication at a visit.

Each time you get a new medication filled at the pharmacy, be sure your pharmacist has answered the following questions:

What is this medication used for?

How does this medication work?

How am I supposed to take the medication?

Should I take it with or without food?

What are the side effects of the medication?

Are there any drugs, dietary supplements, or natural medicines that interact with this medication?

Can I drink alcohol while taking this medication?

How long before I see the effects of this medication?

How long do I need to take this medication?

What to I do if I miss a dose?

How should this medication be stored?






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