Top 3 Safety Tips for Spring Cleaning Medical Items

Spring is in the air and many of us are eager to open our homes and enjoy the warm weather! As we all know, a lot can happen in a year or even 6 months! Have you had a situation change that puts you in unfamiliar territory this Spring season?  Have you recently become a caregiver or transitioned into a new stage in your health journey? If any of these apply to you, keep reading and if these don’t apply to you, keep reading anyway – it’s good information to know!

It’s Spring-Cleaning season and as you clean out your home, there are some best practices you need to be aware of. Below are the top three things our team in the field has been asked about when a family member or caregiver finds them.

When doing your spring cleaning, you may come across old medications, needles, and medical equipment that is no longer needed. What should you do with them?

Medications

If you have a Centric Health team member travelling to your or a loved one’s home, be sure to ask them first.

If you do not have access to a Centric Health team member, then be sure to check the expiration date and call the phone number of the pharmacy that issued the medication.

The best thing to do is dispose of them properly. Old medications can be dangerous if they are not disposed of correctly. You can take them to a local pharmacy, clinic, or hospital for proper disposal.

Medications include over-the-counter, prescribed, topical (placed onto the skin), and/or refrigerated items.

Needles

Needles and other sharp objects can also be dangerous if not disposed of properly. You should never put them in your regular trash.

If you have a Centric Health team member travelling to your or a loved one’s home, be sure to ask them first.

If you do not have access to a Centric Health team member, then you can take needles or other sharp objects to a local pharmacy, clinic, or hospital for disposal.

Medical Equipment

Medical equipment or adaptive aids that are no longer being used can also be dangerous. They may have been contaminated with bacteria or viruses.

If you have a Centric Health team member travelling to your or a loved one’s home, be sure to ask them first.

If you do not have access to a Centric Health team member, then you can take your medical equipment or adaptive aids to an equipment provider, senior center or repurpose location to help others in need.

Types of medical devices you may find include breathing devices, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or other kinds of adaptive aids. If you are unsure, ask your Centric Health team member or local senior center.

Disposing of old medications, needles, and medical equipment properly is important for your safety and the safety of others. Make sure to do it correctly so that everyone can stay healthy and safe this spring.