Caring for an Older Relative at Home: Medicines, Falls and Incontinence

Caring for an older relative at home often involves more than helping with daily activities. Families may also need to keep medicines organised, reduce fall hazards, monitor health routines and manage continence with dignity.

For Kenyan families, good home care starts with a simple principle: make the home safer, make medicines easier to manage, and involve a pharmacist or doctor whenever something changes.

This guide provides practical, non-diagnostic steps for families caring for an older adult at home.

1. Start With a Clear Medicine Routine

Older adults may take several prescription medicines, over-the-counter products or supplements. Keeping everything in one place can make it easier for a caregiver to understand what is being taken and when.

Create a simple medication record containing:

• Medicine name
• Strength and dosage form
• Instructions from the prescriber
• Time it should be taken
• Prescribing clinic or doctor
• Pharmacy used for refills
• Important storage instructions
• Date the medicine needs to be reviewed or refilled

Do not change doses, stop prescription medicines or combine medicines based only on how the person feels. If there is uncertainty about a medicine, ask a qualified healthcare professional.

For families managing long-term prescriptions, planning ahead can also reduce interruptions. Our Mall Pharmacy provides information on [repeat prescription refills in Kenya]repeat prescription refills in Kenya.

2. Use a Medication Organiser Carefully

A medication organiser can help a caregiver see whether medicines have been taken, but it is not suitable for every medicine.

Before transferring tablets or capsules into an organiser, check with a pharmacist. Some medicines may need to remain in their original packaging because of stability, identification or storage requirements.

Keep medicines:

• Away from children
• Away from excessive heat and moisture
• In their original packaging where appropriate
• Clearly separated from another family member’s medicines
• Out of reach of anyone who could accidentally take them

A weekly routine can be useful, but the organiser should support—not replace—professional medication advice.

3. Keep an Updated Medicine List

A current medicine list is particularly useful when an older relative visits different healthcare providers.

Include prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, vitamins, supplements and herbal products.

Take the list to medical appointments and update it whenever a medicine is started, stopped or changed.

If you are concerned about unused or expired medicines in the home, read the pharmacy’s guidance on [safe medicine disposal in Kenya]safe medicine disposal in Kenya.

4. Watch for Changes Rather Than Guessing the Cause

A noticeable change in an older person’s routine deserves attention.

Examples include:

• New confusion or unusual behaviour
• Repeated falls
• Sudden difficulty walking
• Significant changes in appetite or fluid intake
• New problems taking medicines correctly
• New or worsening continence problems
• Unusual sleepiness or weakness

These changes can have many possible causes. Avoid assuming that a particular medicine, supplement or home remedy is responsible without professional assessment.

If the change is sudden, severe or accompanied by serious symptoms, seek appropriate medical care promptly.

5. Make the Home Safer Against Falls

Falls are an important home-safety concern for older adults. Start by looking at the environment rather than waiting for an accident.

Check:

• Loose rugs and mats
• Clutter in walking paths
• Poor lighting, especially at night
• Slippery bathroom floors
• Unstable chairs
• Electrical cables crossing walkways
• Frequently used items stored too high
• Stairs without appropriate support

Keep commonly used items within easy reach so the older person does not need to climb, stretch or use unstable furniture.

In the bathroom, consider practical safety measures such as secure grab supports, appropriate lighting and surfaces that reduce slipping.

6. Create a Safer Night-Time Routine

Many falls happen when someone gets up quickly or walks through a dark room.

A simple night-time setup can include:

• A clear route between the bed and bathroom
• Accessible lighting
• A stable bedside table
• Frequently needed items within reach
• Appropriate footwear
• A walking aid if one has been recommended by a healthcare professional

Avoid encouraging an older person to walk around in darkness simply because the distance is short.

7. Support Continence With Dignity

Incontinence can be embarrassing for an older person, but it is a common caregiving issue and should be handled respectfully.

Practical support may include:

• Keeping the toilet route clear
• Making bathroom access easier
• Using suitable continence products when needed
• Changing products regularly according to their instructions
• Keeping skin clean and dry
• Having spare clothing available
• Maintaining privacy during changes

Continence products can help with day-to-day management, but a new or worsening continence problem should not automatically be treated as something that simply comes with ageing.

Speak with a healthcare professional when there is a significant change, pain, bleeding, fever, marked weakness or another concerning symptom.

8. Protect Skin During Continence Care

Frequent exposure to moisture can make skin care more difficult.

Caregivers should use gentle hygiene practices and avoid unnecessary friction when cleaning the skin. Allowing the area to dry appropriately before applying a suitable protective product can also be helpful.

Seek professional advice if there are persistent sores, significant redness, broken skin, bleeding or signs of infection.

9. Keep Important Health Information Together

A small home health folder can save time during appointments or emergencies.

Consider keeping:

• Current medicine list
• Copies of important prescriptions
• Healthcare provider contacts
• Relevant allergies or previous reactions
• Recent monitoring records where applicable
• Emergency contact details
• Information about mobility aids
• Notes about recent changes in health

For older adults who monitor conditions such as blood pressure at home, caregivers can also review guidance on [measuring blood pressure at home]Measure Blood Pressure at Home.

10. Plan Refills Before Medicines Run Out

Running out of regular medication can disrupt an established routine. Caregivers can reduce this risk by checking supplies regularly and noting when another refill may be needed.

A simple calendar reminder can help.

For patients using chronic-care monitoring equipment, Our Mall Pharmacy also provides [diabetes care and medical-device information]Diabetes Care & Medical Devices.

The goal is not to stockpile medicines. Instead, maintain an organised supply and contact the pharmacy or healthcare provider when a refill is approaching.

11. Know When to Ask a Pharmacist

A pharmacist can be a useful first point of professional guidance for questions about medicines, storage, administration instructions, potential duplication and pharmacy-related support.

Contact a pharmacist when:

• You are unsure how a medicine should be stored
• Several medicines are being taken and you want a medication review
• A medicine has been missed
• A medicine looks different from previous supplies
• You are unsure whether an OTC product is appropriate alongside existing medicines
• You need help organising a refill routine

For broader health information, you can also explore the [Our Mall Pharmacy health resources]Our Mall Pharmacy health resources.

When Should an Older Adult See a Doctor?

Home care is not a substitute for medical assessment.

Arrange professional medical assessment when there is a significant or unexplained change in health, repeated falls, new confusion, persistent pain, worsening mobility, new continence problems or difficulty taking prescribed medicines safely.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly developing symptoms.

If you are unsure whether a situation requires a pharmacist, clinic or emergency assessment, it is safer to seek professional guidance rather than attempting to diagnose the problem at home.

Practical Home-Care Checklist

Area	Simple action
Medicines	Keep an updated medicine list
Refills	Monitor supplies before they run out
Storage	Protect medicines from unsuitable heat and moisture
Falls	Clear walkways and improve lighting
Bathroom	Make toilet access safer
Continence	Maintain privacy, hygiene and dignity
Skin	Check regularly for irritation or broken skin
Health records	Keep prescriptions and key information together
Professional care	Ask a pharmacist or doctor when something changes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to organise medicines for an older person?

Start with a current medicine list and a consistent daily routine. A medication organiser may be useful for some medicines, but check with a pharmacist before transferring medicines from their original packaging.

How can I reduce fall risks for an elderly person at home?

Remove clutter, secure loose rugs, improve lighting, keep walkways clear and make frequently used items accessible. Bathroom and stair safety also deserve particular attention.

Are incontinence products suitable for older adults?

Continence products can provide practical support when needed. They should be selected according to the person’s needs and used with appropriate hygiene and dignity. New or worsening incontinence should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Should an older person stop taking medicine if they feel better?

No. Prescription medicines should not be stopped or changed without guidance from the prescriber or another qualified healthcare professional.

Can a pharmacist help review an older person’s medicines?

Yes. A pharmacist can help identify medicine-related questions, explain appropriate use and storage, and advise when further medical assessment may be needed.

Contact Our Mall Pharmacy

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