It can be very easy to skip a dose of your medication, take two by mistake, or mix up the timing of a medication. As we age, our memory is not what it used to be and it can be challenging to manage all the medications you are on. Below are some tips to help with managing your medications.
- Plan 7 Days at a Time – A good tip is to organize your medications every Sunday for the week ahead. Pillboxes are a great way to help organize medications.
- Use Simple Cues – If you have a medication you take in the morning, place it by something you do in the morning. For example, place it by your morning coffee or toothbrush. If you have medication you take at night, place it on your nightstand.
- Sort Them by Time of Day – If you have medication that needs to be taken at a certain time of day, get a pill bottle that has a.m and p.m.
- Set a Recurring Alarm – Set an alarm to remind you to take your medication at a specific time.
- Flip the Scripts – If you can’t remember if you took a medication or not, once you take it turn the bottle upside down.
- Do It Together – If you have a husband, wife, or partner, make a routine to take your medications together.
- Pair it with a Pet Care – If you have a pet, such as a cat or a dog, pair your medication with feeding them in the morning and at night.
- Check ‘Em as You Take ‘Em – Have a calendar and checkmark it that you’ve taken your medications for the day.
- Add a Pop of Color – Using brightly colored note cards placed strategically around the house can be great reminders.
- Enlist Extra Help – Sometimes we need extra help as we age and that is ok! It is never a bad thing to ask for help.
Source: Silver Sneakers