Remembering to take your medication is easier said than done. It doesn't seem like you could forget something so important, but life gets busy, and our memory skills aren't what they used to be — you never know when you might miss a dose without realizing it until later. Naturally, the more medications you take, the harder it is to stay on top of them all.
Sticking to a regular medication schedule is an important part of staying safe and healthy throughout your long-term care journey. If you need help keeping up with every prescription in your care plan, take a look at these strategies for staying on track with your meds.
Good old-fashioned pen and paper are still some of the best planning tools. Write down the name of every medication you take and key information about it: how often you're supposed to take it, the quantity of each dose, the doctor who prescribed it, etc. Keep this info sheet in plain view (e.g., on your desk or bedside table), and be sure to add to it every time you start a new prescription.
There are several products you can buy to make sorting and scheduling your medications much easier. A pill organizer is a good one to start with — many pill organizers have different compartments for each day of the week to help you take every prescription at the right time. For something more advanced, try a smart pill dispenser that can be programmed to release your medication on a set schedule.
If you still prefer the pen and paper method, there are special journals and templates you can buy specifically for medication management. Need more of a nudge? Get a talking pill reminder device to announce when it's time for each dose.
The same techniques you use to stay on top of everyday responsibilities can be used to track medications too. Set alarms for each dose on your cell phone, add your medication schedule to an online calendar, or write your doses down on a physical calendar if you have one in a highly visible place.
Don't be afraid to ask family and friends to help you with medication adherence, too. See if your spouse, kids, or neighbors will check up on you regularly to make sure you take every dose.
There's an app for everything these days, and that includes medication management. These modern tech tools simplify medication tracking by logging your schedule, sending reminder alerts, letting you know when to refill a prescription, storing photos of your meds to help you remember which one to take, and more.
Popular smartphone apps for medication tracking include Medisafe, MyTherapy, and EveryDose. All of these apps are free, with additional features you can pay for if you choose.
Remembering when to refill your prescriptions is just as important as remembering when to take them — you can't get your weekly dose if you've run out of pills or shots before then. The same methods you use to remind you to take your medicine can also be used to ensure timely refills.
Finances are a big part of medication adherence. Make sure any prescription co-pays, over-the-counter purchases, and doctor visits are distinctly accounted for in your budget — with careful planning, you'll be able to pay for your meds and associated services when you need them.
If you ever worry that financial problems will keep you from getting your medications, please tell your doctor and pharmacist. They can recommend medication assistance programs that may help you cover the cost for a time. These programs exist specifically to support people with medical and financial needs, so you should always feel comfortable asking for assistance when it's necessary.
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