Ways to Remember to Take Medicine

Best ways to Remember to Take Medicine

First, what is the best ways to Remember to Take Medicine? Many seniors feel like you already have enough to juggle each day without worrying about remembering medicine.    Furthermore, as people age, they take more pills.  For example,  remembering to take the 8 pills seniors average each day.

It’s a fact , preventing forgetting and over dosing  is a daunting task.  However, don’t be scared, Again,  there are  proven methods. that help the elderly remember to take meds on time,  For example, a pill dispenser with alarms or smart phone apps.

A Pharmacokinetic Primer: Half-life and Steady State

A Pharmacokinetic Primer or the “Half-life and  the so called, Steady State”.    First of all, it’s not that hard to comprehend..  Hence pointing out the importance of adherence to medications schedules.  To sum up, taking prescription pills and OTC vitamins as directed.

Caregivers Know ways to Remember to Take  Medicine

Caregivers know that it is a  problem when seniors miss  doses of life saving prescription medication.    Caregivers know that  medications have what is called a “half-life”.  This is, the time it takes for your body to eliminate 50 percent of the drug.  The goal,  take your medication on a regular basis.  Hence, the body will reached what is known as “steady state”.  Thus,  an amount of the drug going into your body (absorption) is the same as the amount of drug going out (metabolism and excretion).

First, it  takes about 6 half-lives for a drug to get to it’s “steady state”. To illustrate,  when prescription medication has a half-life of 12 hours, like blood pressure pills, the steady state blood levels of medication could decline by over half in 48-60 hours.  Hence,  blood pressure will go back up.  Hence,  bad effects on  heart health.  Hence, this is why it is so important to find the best ways to Remember to Take Medicine.

In a nutshell,  reason why it is so important to take your medications as prescribed by your health care professional

Learn the best ways to remember to take your medicine

First of all, ask a professional or family caregiver.  Second of all,  learn about what your medications are used for.  Hence, this ought to reinforce your adherence to your prescribed course of treatment. Learning about the details of the conditions .  Indeed, these will be a strong motivator as well.  Finally, this is very important for conditions that have few, if any, symptoms.  Symptoms will help to remind you it’s time to take your medicine.  For example, suffering with  high blood pressure.

Be sure to learn about the negative side effects.  Know what they are so you can recognize them if and when they may happen. Many side effects with drug treatment are temporary.  Hence,  ask the health care professional about short-lived and more long-term side effects.

Smart Pill Dispenser with alarms

A Pill Dispenser with alarms is a great organization tool for your pills.  First medication dispensers can be purchased at all pharmacies. Pillboxes have been around for centuries. A good reminders is useful if you easily forget if you have taken your meds. Modern Pill boxes have flashing guides and audio reminders.  A smart pill dispenser is great for elderly men and women who take multiple medications each day and at different times.

Older patients may especially find  a medication dispenser helpful in medication management.   The boxes are split into individual sections that make-up a week’s worth of medicine.  Some, like the MED-Q Smart Pill Dispenser with Alarms can even be separated by times of day. 

Caregivers will tie  doses with  daily activities.  For example, lunch time, after a brushing teeth, or  before you go to bed. Keep your pill box or medication bottles in easy-to-see  spot.  Again, this will act as a visual reminder. Henceforth,  taking  prescriptions will become routine. 

First,  keep the medications box in a safe and secure area.  Second, keep pills away from curious toddlers as well as dogs and cats. Keep meds out of extreme heat or cold.  For example, never keep them in a humid bathroom  Most medications are suppose to be kept at room temperature.  To sum up, stored incorrectly can lead to ,  lose of potency, crumble, or even start to melt.  Some prescription medications and supplements must be kept in the refrigerator.  Again, if in the fridge,  use posting a sticky note on the door. 

Try types of  Calendar alerts to Remember to Take Your Medicine

Calender’s are one of the Ways to Remember to Take Your Medicine. Some seniors are scared of  smart pill boxes or smart phone apps.   Again, these seniors prefer a simple 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.

Be sure to get help from family members as well as close friends

First of all, create a team to help remind each other to take their doses .  Second of all,  if living by yourself, have a friend text you everyday at pill time.  In the vent that family members live with you can help.  They are like  a built in pill reminder right there at your house. Take advantage of it family and friends.

Seniors will need help to remember their life saving prescription medications and supplements. If you have a loved one that takes several meds, consider using a pill box.  Large printed text on prescription bottles are available if asked for.   Drug direction printouts are good for seniors with  poor eyesight. Your pharmacist can usually print out dosing and drug information in large type – so be sure to ask.

Keep a current list of your medication

First, include names, strengths, doses, and number of remaining refills.  Second,  keep the list of your medication in your wallet or purse.  The goal,  needed information correctly at a time of emergency.   Finally,  keep the information updated.   Also, include  over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal or dietary supplements.