Genetic Testing Can Help Seniors with Medications

At Heather Glen Senior Living in Allentown, we understand that a large part of living well often involves the need for proper medications. This is why we sometimes encourage the use of genetic testing to determine the proper medications and doses for each individual memory care resident. At Heather Glen, our first commitment is to ensure your loved one gets the best care and assistance available. One of the most vital aspects of that commitment is to make sure our residents’ medications are properly administered.

How can I know what medicine(s) to take?

“Take your medicine!” Who doesn’t recognize your mother’s voice in that admonition? Medicines can make you feel better, help you live longer, and even cure what ails you. Because every one of us is different, medications act and react differently due to the body’s chemical makeup. You are also aware of warnings not to take someone else’s pills or liquid medicine, even if you have the same symptoms.

Your first step should always be to consult your doctor, who has the knowledge and resources to prescribe the right medicine(s).

Genetic testing helps meet the unique needs of our memory care residents.

There is a science called “Pharmacogenomics” that studies how your genes influence your response to medications. Using a form of genetic testing (covered by Medicare) called “Psychotropic Testing” can give healthcare providers insight into how medications will act in your body.

Your DNA can affect multiple steps in this process to influence how you respond to the drug, e.g., how it breaks down, where it needs to go, how quickly it works, side effects, etc. You can imagine the complexity of the process!

How do I take a genetic test?

Psychotropic testing is a very simple, non-invasive test that can even be administered at home. Basically, your cheeks will be swabbed to get samples of your DNA for testing. The rest is up to the testing lab. Your results will be shared with your healthcare provider, who will then determine the proper medication(s) and dose(s).

Is genetic testing useful only for determining medications?

The use of genetic testing has the potential to benefit a wide variety of people who are starting a new pharmacological treatment for memory disorders, including people with treatment-resistant conditions, with a family history of poor response to specific medications, who are using multiple medications and may be at risk for drug-drug interactions, and who have experienced serious treatment-related side effects in the past.

There are many reasons that people might get genetic testing. Doctors might suggest a genetic test if patients or their families have certain patterns of disease. Genetic testing is voluntary, and the decision about whether to have genetic testing is complex.

A geneticist or genetic counselor can help your family think about the benefits and limitations of a particular genetic test. Genetic counselors help individuals and families understand the scientific, emotional, and ethical factors surrounding the decision to have genetic testing and how to deal with the results of those tests.

Besides testing for medication compatibility, diagnostic testing is used to precisely identify the disease that is making a person ill. The results of a diagnostic test may help you make choices about how to treat or manage your health. 

There are many different types of genetic tests. Genetic tests can help to:

• diagnose disease.
• identify gene changes that are responsible for an already diagnosed disease.
• determine the severity of a disease.
• guide doctors in deciding on the best medicine or treatment to use for certain individuals.
• identify gene changes that may increase the risk of developing a disease.
• identify gene changes that could be passed on to children.
• screen newborn babies for certain treatable conditions.

What is Heather Glen’s commitment to genetic testing for memory care residents?

Heather Glen Senior Living believes in the value of Psychotropic Testing, and we rely on it to determine the proper medications and procedures to help our residents live a life of Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, Social, Intellectual, and Environmental Wellness.

Each resident with Alzheimer’s, or any other form of dementia, will be therapeutically assessed to determine their ability and capability. An individualized support plan will be developed, including the collaborative input of the resident, family, caregivers, and support staff.

At Heather Glen Senior Living, we are here to help guide families every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting to explore senior living options or have questions about the right time to transition, we welcome you to visit our community and discover the exceptional care and compassion we provide. Planning ahead today ensures peace of mind for tomorrow—reach out by giving us a call at (610) 841-4478 or filling out our online form.