1. Practice makes perfect. Learn about your medicines
Learning more about what your medications are used for will reinforce your ability to take your medicines correctly and on time. Learning about your medical conditions can be a strong motivator, too.
2. Pill boxes
Pill boxes are an organization tool for your pills that can easily be found at most pharmacies. Pill boxes have been around for a long time, and are especially useful if you easily forget if you have taken your meds each day. Pill boxes are also very useful for people who take multiple medications each day and at different times.
Older patients may especially find pill boxes convenient to use. The boxes are split into individual sections that make-up a week’s worth of medicine, or more, and may even be separated by time of day. They can easily fit into travel bags or purses; however, don’t leave them in a hot car.
Just be sure you don’t have meds that look the same that can cause confusion..
3. Electronic applications and pill reminders
Apps to help patients remember and track their medication use are convenient tools for anyone who carries a mobile phone.
- For example, a pill reminder app can keep a complete list of all your medications. You could choose to get pill reminders to take your meds at a special time, and receive prescription refill reminders right on your mobile device.
- You can also add personal notes and get easy access to important information about your medicine online.
4. Calendar alerts
Maybe you prefer not to use a mobile device or just like the simple method of a calendar. Those are great tools, too. Mark your daily doses on a paper calendar at home, on your computer, or even in your little black book. Just be sure to update it frequently and mark through each dose as you take it, in case you forget from dose to dose.
Getting into a regular routine to help you remember to take your meds is really what’s most important. Find what works best for you.
5. Link your medication doses with a daily activity
- You can tie your drug doses with a daily routine like breakfast time, after a shower, or when you get ready for bed.
- Keep your medications in an easy-to-see (but secure) spot as a visual clue. Be sure you keep your medications in a safe area, away from curious toddlers and pets.
- Pretty soon taking your meds will be as routine as, well, brushing your teeth (and that might be a good time to take your meds, too).
Protect your meds from extreme heat or cold, and don’t leave them in a steamy bathroom (where medicine cabinets are usually found, coincidentally). Most medications are stable at room temperature, but under extreme conditions, they can lose their potency, crumble, or even melt.
If your medicine needs to be stored in the refrigerator, consider posting a sticky note reminder on the fridge as a reminder to grab it when it’s time.
If you have especially dangerous medications, be sure to keep them safe and secure, even locked up if needed, to prevent accidental ingestion by a child or pet.
6. Keep an up-to-date list of your medication names, strengths, doses, and number of remaining refills
- Having an easily accessible list of your medication specifics will enable you to provide this information correctly and quickly at a time when you might need it the most – in an emergency situation.
- Just be sure to update this information when medications are started or stopped.
- Remember – over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal or dietary supplements count, too – so have them on your list.
