How can a direct support professional identify medication problems for a person with limited communication ability?

Identifying medication problems for individuals with limited communication abilities requires a nuanced understanding of their behaviors and physical conditions. Carefully observing and tracking changes in the person's mood, habits, or health is crucial as it provides vital insights into how medications may be affecting them. Since these individuals may not be able to verbally express discomfort or side effects, behavioral changes – such as altered mood or deviations from usual habits – can serve as significant indicators of medication issues.

Through attentive observation, the direct support professional can detect patterns that suggest adverse reactions to medication or the need for dosage adjustments. This approach is proactive and personalized, directly focusing on the individual’s experiences and responses rather than relying solely on medical appointments or numerical data from vital signs, which might not fully convey the person's well-being without context.