Easy ways to Remember to take your medications
April 21, 2020 2021-05-28 16:27Easy ways to Remember to take your medications
Easy ways to Remember to take your medications
Missing a dose of your daily medicines might not seem like a big deal, but it can have real consequences. Despite good intentions, many patients find it difficult to keep up with their daily medications whether it’s one pill or 10. Skipping a dose may seem harmless but in the long-term, it can have an effect, even though it might not be apparent at first.
- Keep a list of all your medications, including over-the-counter ones. Use a small notebook or a smart phone to track all changes. There are also several apps to help people to manage their routine.
- Take your meds at the same time every day. Those times might coincide with your morning coffee or meals, after brushing your teeth or a shower, or at bedtime.
- Leave yourself notes to help you remember. Post-it Notes on your bathroom mirror or nightstand work great, You can also use a dry-erase board to keep track of pills you have taken, erasing reminders after each dose.
- Use a pillbox with the days of the week.Keep your pillbox in a visible place, such as the kitchen table, and away from moisture, heat and light — as well as children and pets.
- Keep a calendar to write down doses and when refills are due. If you’re running low on a medication, contact your health care provider or pharmacist before it’s gone. You can get refills on meds one week prior to running out.
- Set an alarm in your home or on your smartphone or watch to remind you when to take your pills.
- Ask your pharmacist if they have reminder tops caps with reminder alarms for your medications. Purchase a pill cutter if you need to cut your pills in half.
- Turn your bottle upside down after you take your pills, then turn it upright at the end of the day as a reminder to start fresh tomorrow.