10 Effective Medication Reminder Strategies for Seniors and Relatives

Forgetting your medications can be a serious issue if it becomes a habit. At Affordable Home Care, we want to ensure you never miss a dose. Medication reminders are an incredibly useful aspect of daily medical care. We can help you get organized and set up to make medication management an effortless part of your day.

Use an App

There’s an app for just about everything now, including medication reminders. Some even allow you to create profiles to track multiple people, which is helpful when managing medications for yourself and a loved one.

Set Alarms on a Phone or Watch

If you’re dealing with a more complex medication routine, set an alarm. This works well for medications you can't take at the same time. You can label the alarm with the name of the medication, the dosage, and any details, like taking it with food.

Use a Pill Organizer

Pill organizers have been a staple for senior health care for years, and it’s no wonder why. They’re simple, cheap, and easy to use. Just put whatever pills you need in each day. It's an easy way to keep track of anything you might miss. You can pick one up on your next grocery run!

Visibility Matters

Every part of the medication routine should be visible. That includes putting medications on the counter instead of inside the cabinet, writing reminders on the fridge, and leaving notes in areas where you’ll see them, like on the bathroom mirror.

Make it Part of Your Routine

Most people value routine. The easiest way to guarantee you do something is to attach it to another task you are already doing. Prescriptions taken with food can be kept on the table for dinner. Medications for nighttime can stay in the bathroom and be the last thing you do at night.

Enlist Help

For those who struggle with medication, enlisting the help of a caregiver or loved one can make a huge difference. Sometimes all we need is a bit of help getting organized and set up. Once it's done, it becomes easier to be self-sufficient with prescriptions.

Try Medication Management Services

Part of what we do for our home care services includes medication management. We help patients read prescriptions and remember to take their medications properly. We also communicate with families to let them know if we've noticed any new issues or have concerns to address with a doctor.

Keep a Medication Diary

Keeping track of your medications gets more difficult when you don’t tell your doctor what is working and what isn’t. A medication diary helps you track what you’ve taken and what’s working for you. You can add any side effects or changes you notice and discuss them with your doctor at your next visit.

Automate Refills

Medication reminders don't do much when you're out of pills. Many places now offer automatic refills for specific medications. You may not be able to get all prescriptions refilled this way, but it cuts down on the number of things to remember. Plus, some places will even call ahead to let you know when you need to contact your doctor for a new prescription.

Plan a Go-Bag

Surprise trips throw off everyone’s routine. When you have extra medications, pack them into an extra pill organizer. You can keep it with your travel supplies. If you have to travel abruptly, there's no concern about leaving your pills at home!

Keeping track of your medications is a crucial part of senior health care. The best way to do so is to make it part of your lifestyle and routine. Remember, always ask for help when you need it. That’s what we’re here for.