Unit Five Taking Medications Lesson One Managing Your Medications

Transcription

1 ESL Health Unit Unit Five Taking Medications Lesson One Managing Your Medications Reading and Writing Practice Intermediate Goals for this lesson: Below are some of the goals of this lesson. Which ones are your goals too? Check ( ) them. Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist Identify ways to cut costs when purchasing medications Review indefinite pronouns (someone, anyone, nothing )

2 Lesson One: Managing Your Medications Reading and Writing Practice Before You Read! In this lesson, you will read about Lena and Youssef s problems taking their medications. Activity One: Before you read, discuss the following questions with your classmates and teacher. 1. What kind of medications do you take regularly? Which of these are prescription medications? Which are over the counter medications? Prescription medications Over the counter medications 2

3 2. If you take several kinds of medication each day, how do you remember to take them at the right time? Do you ever forget? What do you do if you forget to take your medication? Before we go on: a quick review of indefinite pronouns IndefinitefPronouns Indefinite pronouns and adjectives are words used to refer to people or things non-specifically rather than specifically. Although an indefinite pronoun may refer to someone or something specific, it refers to them in general with the notion of all, some, any, or none. Some common indefinite pronouns are: Singular: another both everything nothing any each neither one anybody either nobody somebody anyone everybody none someone anything everyone no one something Plural: 3

4 all few more much several both many most plenty some Examples: singular - Somebody was supposed to pick up my prescription. plural - Many of us are on blood pressure medicine. Indefinite pronouns can only be classified as pronouns if they are used alone. If they are used with a noun, then they become indefinite adjectives. Examples: pronoun: Both agreed that surgery was the only solution. adjective: Both doctors agreed that surgery was the only solution. "Both" becomes an indefinite adjective in the second 4

5 sentence because it modifies the noun "doctors." pronoun: Several (of the patients) are taking multiple medications. adjective: I am taking several medications. "Several" becomes an indefinite adjective in the second sentence because it modifies the noun medications" Fill in the gaps with somebody, anybody, nobody, something, anything, nothing, somewhere, anywhere or nowhere. 5

6 1. I read about this drug in the newspaper yesterday. They said it can damage your heart. 2. goes to the Center anymore because they started charging for classes. 3. I m not sure where her office is. I think it might be near the library. 4. could have taken you to the pharmacy. Please ask us if you need help! 5. scares him. He's very brave. 6. There is to park here. Let's go else to park. 7. Would you like to drink? 8. Should I be taking for my indigestion? 6

7 9. The nurse took him back though that hallway about fifteen minutes ago. 10. She doesn t take for her diabetes. She tries to manage it by watching her diet and exercising. 11. She needs to talk to. She's very lonely. 12. He is very stubborn. He got angry with his doctor and says he won t see him. 13. There isn't you can do to help him. can help him. 14. We do not need to help us with the house. We can do it ourselves. 15. is ringing the bell. Go and see who it is. 7

8 16. phoned while we were out, but they did not leave a message. 17. told me that is going to the party. 18. They are looking for that is in a nicer neighborhood. They want to find a quiet place to lead a quiet life. 19. I will live as long as it is close to my daughter 20.Is there at home who can help you with this? Health Watch: Tips to Remember and Stay on Your Medications The first step to staying on your medication is to understand what you are 8

9 taking and why. Ask your doctor what you are being treated for and how each medicine helps. Know the side effects of any medications you are taking. You can find this out by asking your doctor or pharmacist. Ask your doctor how your medicine works with your other medications and the foods you eat. For example: Some medicines work best if you take them with food, and others work best if you take them at bedtime. Ask your doctor what to do if you miss a dose of medicine or have problems with side effects. It is important that you keep your doctor informed of how the medicine is working for you. It may be useful to ask your doctor for help in completing a chart on all of your medicines that includes the name of the medication, what the medication is being taken for, when to take it, what side effects to watch for, and whom to call if you should have a problem. Remembering to take your medicine is important. Some ways to help yourself remember to take your medicine could be: 9

10 Daily reminders are often helpful when scheduling your medication doses. Try to time taking your medicine around activities that you do daily such as setting your alarm clock, brushing your teeth, eating your meals, going to work, or doing other daily activities. Once you have the routine down it will become a habit (for example, taking your daily meds before you brush your teeth by putting the prescription bottle next to your toothbrush). Setting your watch alarm to go off when it's time to take your medicine. Placing a reminder card in a visible place. Having a family member or a friend remind you. Use a medication box that will hold your entire day's supply of medicine. This will let you know if you missed a dose of medicine. If you have tried these tricks and still have trouble remembering your 10

11 medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. It may be possible to simplify your medication schedule or to put your medicine in special containers called blister packs to help you. Your Pharmacist Can Help Too One of the most important services a pharmacist can offer is to talk to you about your medicines. A pharmacist can help you understand how and when to take your medicines, what side effects you might expect, or what interactions may occur. A pharmacist can answer your questions privately in the pharmacy or over the telephone. Here are some other ways your pharmacist can help: Many pharmacists keep track of medicines on their computer. If you buy your medicines at one store and tell your pharmacist all the overthe-counter and prescription medicines or dietary supplements you take, your pharmacist can help make sure your medicines don't interact harmfully with one another. Ask your pharmacist to place your prescription medicines in easy-toopen containers if you have a hard time taking off child-proof caps and do not have young children living in or visiting your home. 11

12 (Remember to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.) Your pharmacist may be able to print labels on prescription medicine containers in larger type, if reading the medicine label is hard for you. Your pharmacist may be able to give you written information to help you learn more about your medicines. This information may be available in large type or in a language other than English. Your pharmacist can help keep track of your medicines. Information adapted from MedicineNet.com Reading One - Lena s List of Medications 12

13 Next read Lena s story and answer the questions that follow with your classmates and teacher. As you are discussing your answers, notice how and when you use indefinite articles and make sure to try to use them correctly! My name is Lena and I am 75 years old. Every time I go to the doctor he puts me on something new. You can look at my medicine chest and see all of the bottles. I got something for my eyes, blood pressure, I hurt my foot and he gave me a pain killer. I started to get nervous and he gave me these Paxil pills. I know he is a good doctor and he is trying to help, but it is really hard for me to remember when to take what pills there are so many and sometimes I forget, did I take that pill or not today? And sometimes I can t even get the caps off the bottles. So I just stopped taking all of it its crazy all of these drugs anyway! This story was generated by the course developer for instructional purposes. Questions: 13

14 1. What is Lena s problem? 2. What has Lena decided to do about her problem? 3. Do you think this is a good solution? 4. If you were Lena, what would you do to solve this problem? Reading Two - Youssef s Problem 14

15 Next read Youssef s story and answer the questions that follow with your classmates and teacher. Again, as you answer, notice how and when you use indefinite articles and make sure to try to use them correctly! My name is Youssef. The last time I counted, I think I was on six different prescription medications plus I take an over the counter medication to help me sleep and sometimes I take Tylenol when I get a headache. I know that I ve got to take my blood pressure medicine and I got one to help me lower my cholesterol, but the rest of them I m not sure about and they are really expensive so, I only buy the ones I need the most. Also, the directions are complicated and I have trouble reading the labels. When I am at my doctor s office I ask the nurse to explain but sometimes by the time I get home I forget. Luckily, my neighbor is on some of the same medications so he tells me what to do when I have a problem. He s a big help. This story was generated by the course developer for instructional purposes. Questions: 15

16 1. What is Youssef s problem? 2. What is Youssef s solution to his problem? 3. Do you think this is a good solution? 4. If you were Youssef, what would you do to solve this problem? 16

17 Health Watch: Cutting Costs The cost of medications is a serious concern for older people, most of whom must pay for drugs out of pocket. Even those who have insurance to supplement Medicare must often pay a percentage of the cost of their medicines. For a new prescription, don't buy a whole bottle but ask for just a few pills. You may have side effects from the medication and have to switch. If you buy just a few, you won't be stuck with a costly bottle of medicine you can't take. For ongoing conditions, buy medications in the largest quantities you can. Do this only if you know your body tolerates them well, since it's not usually possible to return medications. Call around for the lowest price. Pharmacy prices can vary greatly. If you find a drug cheaper elsewhere, ask your regular pharmacist if he or she can match the price. Other ways to make your prescription dollars go further include: Ask for a senior citizen discount. Ask for a generic equivalent. These non-brand substitutes are tested to be sure they are chemically identical to the original, and they deliver 17

18 ESL Health Unit Unit Five Taking Medications Lesson One Managing Your Medications Listening and Speaking Practice Intermediate Goals for this lesson: Below are some of the goals of this lesson. Which ones are your goals too? Check ( ) them. Learn ways to remember and stay on your medications. Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist Review adverbs of frequency (often, frequently, never ) Read and understand prescription and over-the-counter medication labels 18

19 Lesson One: Managing Your Medications Listening and Speaking Practice Before You Listen! Activity One: The National Council on Patient Information and Education suggests that before you leave the doctor's office with a new prescription, you should ask the list of questions below. Read through the list with your classmates and teachers and then discuss the questions that follow: What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to do? Is there a less expensive alternative? How and when do I take the medicine and for how long? Whether to take it with water, food, or with a special medicine, or at the same time as other medicines. Can it be taken with over-the-counter medicines? If so, when? What to do if you miss or forget a dose. Whether you take it before, during, or after meals. 19

20 The timing between each dose. For example, does "four times a day" mean you have to take it in the middle of the night? What your doctor means by "as needed." Are there any other special instructions to follow? What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine? Will any tests or monitoring be required while I am taking this medicine? Do I need to report back to the doctor? What are the possible side effects and what do I do if they occur? When should I expect the medicine to start working, and how will I know if it is working? Will this new prescription work safely with the other prescription and over-the-counter medicines or dietary supplements I am taking? Questions: 1. When you leave the doctor s office with a prescription for a new medication, do you usually feel like you know enough about that medication, what it does, how and when to take it? 2. Think about the list above. When you talk to your doctor about a new medication, do you usually ask these questions? Would you feel comfortable asking these questions? Why or why not? 20

21 Health Watch: A list of Questions for Your Pharmacist The National Council on Patient Information and Education also suggests that at the pharmacy, or wherever you get your medicines, you should ask the following questions about your prescriptions: Do you have a patient profile form for me to fill out? Does it include space for my over-the-counter drugs and my dietary supplements? Is there written information about my medicine? Ask the pharmacist if it's available in large print or in a language other than English if you need it. What is the most important thing I should know about this medicine? Ask the pharmacist any questions that may not have been answered by your doctor. Can I get a refill? If so, when? How and where should I store this medicine? Information adapted from MedicineNet.com 21

22 Listening One: Medications Counseling **Note to teacher: Do not pass out the written message in the box below. Record it onto a cassette (if possible with someone to play the second role in the dialogue) and have students listen to the recording. Play once or twice before they begin to listen for specific information. Now you will listen to conversation between Ramone and a pharmacist who works at his medical center. Ramone has many questions about the medications he is taking. Listen to suggestions that pharmacist gives Ramone and then discuss the questions that follow with your classmates and teacher. Ramone: My doctor has me on so many medications right now. For me they all look alike. I m so frustrated I m thinking about stopping a couple of my medications because I don t think I need them anymore. Pharmacist: Ramone, really you should take your medicines for the whole time they are prescribed, even if you feel better. If you think you no longer need a prescription medicine you are taking, ask your doctor to check how well it is working, whether you still need to take it, and, if so, whether there is anything you can do (like lowering fats in your diet or exercising more) to cut back or, in time, stop needing the medicine. Don't stop taking the medicine on your own without first talking with your doctor. And, Ramone, its not so hard to figure out a system for being able to you re your medications apart is it? You could organize them by size, shape, color, or maybe by the container they come in. There are special containers with different colored caps and different sections for organizing your medications maybe we could get you some of those to help you out? 22

23 Ramone: get out Pharmacist: Ramone: Pharmacist: and right up at Ramone: worried there. That sounds great but what about at night. Many of my medications need to be taken during the night. I of bed and I am groggy, I can t see and I am supposed to take pills like this? Do you have children or pets living with you at home? No. Then I suggest you place the pills you will need during the night on your bedside table. Turn on the light make sure you're taking the right medicine at the time. You could set a loud alarm to wake yourself the right time something you can t ignore! And what about when I travel? I am flying out to see my daughter s family in a couple of weeks and I am about taking my medications while I am Pharmacist: Oh I know. Taking your medication is even harder when you are traveling. Make sure before you go that you ask your doctor how to adjust your medicine schedule to account for changes in time, routine, and diet. Bring the phone numbers of your doctors and pharmacy with you in case you need to get a refill. Since you are flying, my suggestion is to make sure you take all of your medicines with you on the plane; do not pack them in your checked luggage. And always keep your medicines out of heat and direct sunlight. Ramone: time older. or I try this also gets Actually, what I really hate the most about taking my pills is swallowing them. I have always had a hard swallowing pills but it seems to get worse as I get Sometimes I try to break them so they are smaller to chew them but I can t always do it and me off schedule. 23

24 Pharmacist: pills is a at your a liquid medicine your tablets. Never break or chew tablets without first asking a health professional about it. Not being able to swallow really common problem. Let s take a look prescriptions and see if maybe there is you could use or maybe you can crush And, you know, if you think your schedule for your medications is too complicated, and you can t keep up with it, talk about it with your doctor. He may have another medicine or ideas that better fits your lifestyle. For example, if taking medicine four times a day is a problem for you, maybe the doctor can give you a medicine you only need to take once or twice a day. The most important thing is you tell your doctor about how you are feeling - that way he can help you come up with a system that works for you! 24

25 Activity One: Ramone tells his pharmacist about several problems he is experiencing with taking his medications. In the box below, write down the advice the pharmacist gives Ramone about each problem/question. Ramone s Problem/Question I m so frustrated I m thinking about stopping a couple of my medications because I don t think I need them anymore. Many of my medications need to be taken during the night. I get out of bed and I am groggy, I can t see and I am supposed to take pills like this? I am flying out to see my daughter s family in a couple of weeks and I am worried about taking my medications there. I have always had a hard time swallowing pills but it seems to get worse as I get older. Sometimes I try to break them so they are smaller or I try to chew them but I can t always do it and this also gets me off schedule. The Pharmacist s Advice Talk About It! 25

26 Before we begin, let s review how to use adverbs of frequency when speaking and writing English. Adverbs of Frequency Adverbs of Frequency answer the question "How often?" or "How frequently?" They tell us how often somebody does something. Adverbs of frequency come before the main verb (except the main verb "to be"): We usually go shopping on Saturday. I have often forgotten to take my medicine. She is always late. Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence: Sometimes I have problems swallowing my medication. I have problems understanding the labels occasionally. Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with "very"): 26

27 I talk to the doctor about my medications rarely. John goes to the pharmacy very seldom. Adverbs of frequency express a continuum of meaning with always meaning 100% of the time, never meaning 0% of the time and all of the other adverbs falling in between: 100% 50% 0% always usually frequently often sometimes occasionally rarely seldom hardly ever never Now check your understanding by filling in the gaps with the correct adverb of frequency (there may be more than one correct answer.) 1. My sister and I (30%) go to the doctor together. 2. Andrea (90%) keeps her medications organized in colorcoded containers. 3. I (20%) take the time to organize my medications. 27

28 4. I have (0%) asked my pharmacists for help managing my medications. 5. Eleanor (40%) forgets to take her medication. Activity One: Read the following medication labels and answer the questions that follow with your classmates and teacher. PRESCRIPTION LABEL ONE: CVS Pharmacy PH: Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA RX: Prescriber: Dr. Judy Summers Take one tablet twice a day. ADALET 10 MG TABLETS QTY 30 1 Refill Rph. Larry Gross Date Filled: 4/23/04 28

29 Take with food. May cause disorientation or dizziness. Avoid driving or operating machinery while taking this medication. If you were prescribed this medication, 1. How many pills should you take every day? 2. How often should you take it? 3. Can you take it on an empty stomach? 4. What are the side effects? 5. What is the name of the pharmacist? 6. What is the prescription number? 29

30 PRESCRIPTION LABEL TWO: CVS Pharmacy PH: Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA RX: Prescriber: Dr. Judy Summers Take two tablets per day, one in AM and one in PM. LOZOL 5 MG TABLETS QTY 25 2 Refills 30

31 Rph. Larry Gross Date Filled: 4/23/04 May be taken with or without food. May cause headache. May cause skin rash. If you were prescribed this medication, 1. How many pills should you take every day? 2. What is the name of the medication? 3. What is the name of the pharmacist? 4. What are the side effects? 5. What is the prescription number? 31

32 6. How many refills do you have? 32

33 Health Watch: Understand Over-the-Counter Drug Labels Reading the product label is the most important part of taking care of yourself or your family when using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines (those that are available without a prescription). This is especially true because you probably take OTC medicines without first seeing a doctor. 33

34 Discuss the following statements with your classmates and teacher. For each one, fill in the gap with an adverb of frequency and explain why. I ask my doctor: The name of the medicine she is prescribing and what it is supposed to do If there is a generic equivalent that I can buy that might be cheaper. How and when I should take the medicine, how much to take, and for how long. What food, drinks, other medicines, or activities I should avoid while taking the medicine. If the medicine will interfere with other medicines I take What side effects the medicine may have and what to do if they occur If there is written information in my native language that I can take home. I : 34

35 Throw away expired medicines. Keep medicines in their original containers or in containers with sections for daily doses (see box below). Stop taking medicines your doctor has prescribed when I feel better. Drink alcohol while on a medicine. Share medications with others ESL Health Unit Unit Five 35

36 Taking Medications Lesson One Managing Your Medications Real Practice Intermediate Goals for this lesson: Below are some of the goals of this lesson. Which ones are your goals too? Check ( ) them. Learn ways to remember and stay on your medications. Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist Review adverbs of frequency (often, frequently, never ) Read and understand prescription and over-the-counter medication labels Lesson One: Managing Your Medications Real Practice! 36

37 One easy way to help you and your doctor better manage your medical treatment is to keep an accurate, up-to-date Medicine log. Fill in the log with each medication you take, your reason for taking it, the doctor who prescribed the medication and any information about how long you have taken the medication and any side effects you have experienced. Make copies to keep at home for easy access in case of an emergency as well as to bring to your doctor s appointment. Medicine Log Prescription Medicine Log 37

38 (make copies as needed.) Medicine Name/Dose Color/Shape Reason For Taking Prescribed By Date Started/Stopped Side Effects/notes (sample:) Precose 50mg 3 x day White/round Diabetes Dr.Johnson 5/98 to present Take at each start of meal Over-The-Counter Medicine Log (make copies as needed.) List Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, too. Reason For Name/Dose How Often Side Effects/Notes Taking (sample:) Tums 1 tablet 2x Get Calcium None 500mg Daily

39 4. 5. A Thematic Unit for Intermediate copyright 2001 Level ESL Teachers Intermediate Level, Unit Five: Taking Medication Lesson One: Seniors Managing Health@Home Your Online Medications American Institute for Preventive Medicine Checklist for Learning Vocabulary Log: In the space below, write down all of the new words you learned during this lesson that you want to remember. Try to separate your list of words into nouns (person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words) and verbs (action words). For extra practice use them in sentences of your own. New words I learned during this lesson: Nouns: Adjectives: Verbs: What can you do? Below are some of the language goals you worked on during this lesson. Check ( ) what you learned from this lesson. Add more ideas if you wish. I learned to Learn ways to remember and stay on your medications. Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist ESL Health Review Unit/Intermediate, adverbs of Unit frequency Five: Taking (often, Medication frequently, never ) Read and understand prescription and over-the-counter medication 39 labels

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