Pharmacists do a lot more than dispense the medication your loved one needs. They can also provide education and support services, and health and wellness screenings. They can be a community-focused information and planning resource, and help with medication-management services. Pharmacists can offer depression and other health screenings to be sure caregivers are taking care of themselves as well.

Some sample questions to ask your pharmacist:

• What over-the-counter products are safe to give my loved one for the treatment of cough, cold, constipation, insomnia, etc?

• What herbals are safe/unsafe to use, given my loved one’s conditions?

• Can you make a list of all of the medications my loved one takes?

• Do you offer a medication box service?

• Do you deliver medications?

• What are the more common side effects of the  medications my loved one takes and how should they be managed when they occur?

• Do any of the medications my loved one takes have interactions, and how can we help manage these interactions? 

• When and how should the dose of my loved one’s medication be changed?

• What is the best way to schedule all of my loved one’s medications so that they work most effectively and are easier for me to administer?

• What type of benefits should we expect from each of my loved one’s medications?

• What should be done if a dose is missed?

These questions can help you prevent problems caused by interactions between medications, vitamins, supplements, and foods. It is one more way that you can be a good steward of your loved one’s health. And while you are following these steps to help your loved ones, consider following them for yourself as well. Remember, your own good health is essential to your being an effective family caregiver.