Little by little, she let me take over her meds, but it was very hard on her. She was a very independent person.

Providing medication to the person who is ill can be a major part of caregiving. Understanding different aspects associated with medications will help you feel more comfortable in this role.

Medications are commonly used to help manage pain or other troubling symptoms, and to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes. It is essential to know about the medications that are prescribed as well as how to give them.

This module will provide you with some basic information including the following:

• Different forms of medication and the use of opioids in managing pain and shortness of breath

• Ways to keep medications organized

• Safety procedures for storing and disposing of medications

• Tips and procedures for giving medications through different routes such as by mouth, through the nose, through the skin,  or rectally. *Most of these include demonstration videos.

Notes about language: The words “medication,” “medicine,” and “meds” are used interchangeably throughout this chapter.

Disclaimer

This module is intended to provide general information only and is not meant to replace the medical advice provided by the person’s doctor or other healthcare provider.