Supporting a loved one often starts with noticing the small things.

This section is written for caregivers and families who want to better understand medication routines, recognize when help may be needed, and start conversations with care and compassion.

These posts offer practical steps and reassurance during times of transition and change.

Caregiving and Family Support Blog Posts

The holidays bring families together in a special way. We share meals, catch up, and enjoy time that often feels too rare during busy seasons of life. These visits can also give us a quiet opportunity to notice how our loved ones are doing, especially if we have not seen them in a while.

One area that often gets overlooked is how someone is managing their medications. (There is no judgment in noticing!) Caring about someone’s well-being includes paying attention to the small things that keep them safe and healthy.

Small Signs That Can Tell a Big Story

  • Unopened medications or duplicates: If you see several bottles of the same drug or containers that look untouched, it might mean doses are being missed or refills are being picked up without being taken.

  • Expired medications: A quick glance in a medicine cabinet can reveal prescriptions that are months or even years past their expiration dates. This can happen when routines become too complex or when someone is unsure which medications they still need.

  • Confusion about schedules: If a loved one hesitates when asked when they take their medications, or if the schedule seems inconsistent or hard for them to explain, they might be struggling with timing.

  • Running out too early or too late: Finishing a medication early can mean a dose is being doubled by mistake. Still having lots left when it should be time to refill can mean doses are being skipped.

  • Changes in health or behavior: More dizziness, tiredness, or forgetfulness can sometimes relate to medication issues. Blood pressure and blood sugar checks can also help reveal if medications are being taken as intended.

  • Supplements can also be a hidden concern: Families sometimes find large baskets of vitamins or herbal products in a cabinet. These can carry their own risks because supplements vary in quality and can interact with prescription medications. If you notice an unusually large collection, it may be a sign that your loved one is trying to manage health concerns on their own and could benefit from a medication review.

How to Gently Start the Conversation

These talks can feel sensitive, so it helps to keep them simple and supportive.

A few examples:

  • “I noticed you have a few extra bottles here. How have you been feeling on this medication?”

  • “I am organizing my medicine cabinet at home. Do you want to go through yours together while I am here?”

  • “Is there anything that has been confusing or frustrating about your medications lately?”

The goal is not to correct. The goal is to understand.

Helpful Ways to Offer Support

If it seems like a loved one could use some help, here are a few simple steps that can make a big difference.

  • Check expiration dates together: Remove expired items and plan for safe disposal. (See April 2025 for helpful hints and disposal locations.)

  • Consider a medication organizer: Some people prefer weekly pill boxes. Others do better with larger containers if dexterity is an issue. The best system is the one they can use comfortably.

  • Encourage regular blood pressure or glucose checks: A simple home cuff or glucometer can provide important information and help identify problems early.

  • Ask if they want help with reminders: This could be a phone alarm, a printed schedule, or a simple routine like taking medications with breakfast.

  • Reach out for a medication review: If something feels off or if the regimen is complex, a pharmacist-led review can help check for safety issues, simplify routines, and answer questions.

One of the most loving things we can do during the holidays is check in, not check up. Small signs of medication trouble can be easy to miss during the year, but family visits offer a natural chance to make sure the people we care about are safe, supported, and confident. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

With care,
Abigail Wright, BCGP BCPS CDP PharmD MS FASCP
Founder, Wright Geriatric Consulting

December 1, 2025: Home for the Holidays - Spotting Signs a Loved One May Need Help With Their Medications

When people ask me what a concierge pharmacy visit is, I usually describe it as a one-on-one session to review medications, answer questions, and provide recommendations. But that description doesn’t quite capture the heart of what really happens.

Most visits end up being 90% education and conversation. Patients often already have the prescriptions they need, but what they’re missing is confidence and clarity: Am I taking this the right way? What side effects should I watch for? Is there something I can do beyond just taking this pill? Do I need to take this medication forever?

That’s where a concierge visit shines. It’s not about rushing through a list of medications. It’s about creating space for people to share their concerns, ask questions they may not have had time to ask at the doctor’s office, and get thoughtful answers that fit into their real, everyday lives.

Starting With What Matters

Every concierge visit begins with a simple but powerful question: “What matters most to you?”

For some people, it’s wanting to feel more energetic. For others, it’s making sure their medications don’t interfere with sleep, exercise, or time with family. Starting here sets the tone: the visit isn’t about checking boxes - it’s about making medications work for you and your goals.

What These Conversations Can Look Like

Every patient is unique, but here are a few examples of where these conversations can lead:

  • Diet and Diabetes: What starts as a chat about blood sugar often turns into an exploration of different diabetes-friendly diets. Some patients thrive on a Mediterranean approach, others do better with smaller, balanced meals throughout the day. There is no one-size-fits-all plan, and that’s empowering to realize.

  • Poor Sleep: Sometimes sleep struggles come up. Instead of adding another medication, we’ve uncovered issues like a CPAP machine that needed repair. A simple referral for equipment service made all the difference in energy and rest.

  • Getting to Appointments: Transportation is a real barrier for many patients. I’ve had conversations where the best solution wasn’t about medications at all, but about connecting someone to Uber Health so they could reliably get to their doctor’s appointments.

  • Managing Side Effects: Alzheimer’s medications can sometimes cause disinhibition or bursts of energy. Rather than viewing this only as a problem, we’ve talked about safe ways to channel that energy, like joining a Silver Sneakers exercise class. It turns a side effect into an opportunity for movement and social engagement.

  • Creative Medication Management: Standard pill boxes don’t work for everyone. One patient didn’t have the dexterity to handle the tiny lids. The solution? Using oversized, labeled food-storage containers to create a giant “pill box” that was easy to open and organized enough to keep them on track. Sometimes it just takes thinking outside the box - literally.

Why This Matters

These examples all share something in common: the answers weren’t just in the medication bottles. They were in the conversations. Concierge visits create the space to step back, connect the dots, and find solutions that truly support health and quality of life.

For me, this is the warmer side of consulting - and it’s the reason I started Wright Geriatric Consulting. Behind every prescription is a person with goals, worries, and hopes. A concierge visit makes sure those are heard and respected.

If you’ve ever left a doctor’s visit with more questions than answers, or felt unsure about how your medications fit into daily life, a concierge pharmacy visit might be just what you need. It’s not only about managing prescriptions - it’s about helping you feel confident, supported, and cared for in the bigger picture of your health.

With care,
Abigail Wright, RPh BCGP CDP PharmD MS
Founder, Wright Geriatric Consulting

October 1, 2025: Conversations that Matter - the Heart of a Concierge Visit

Disclaimer:
The information in this blog is for general education and information only. It is not meant to replace advice from a doctor or other healthcare professional. Always talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about a specific medical condition or treatment. Do not ignore or delay getting professional advice because of something you read here. Wright Geriatric Consulting and Abigail Wright are not responsible for any decisions made based on this information.