Q: My grandmother takes seven different medications and lately we’ve noticed that she’s been missing doses. Any tips for preventing this? ~ G. Harrington, Bristol
A: That is very common amongst our senior population. Whenever possible, you should accompany your grandmother to her doctor visits to confirm understanding of the medication regimen and possible side effects. That will allow you to follow up with both her understanding and adherence to the medication schedule. However, dementia or other factors often make it necessary for someone to administer the daily medications to ensure they are taken as prescribed. Such responsibility can be challenging for many family members due to the times and frequency of the medications prescribed. Certain home care agencies have programs available that will provide nursing visits to administer medications in addition to communicating with the patient’s physician, ensuring accuracy in dosage, frequency and desired results.