Many people often struggle to take pills. Whether it is remembering to take the pills, actually taking the pills, or just forgetting about the pills all together, managing daily medication can be a struggle for any age group. Luckily, there are many tricks that can help. Here are a few tricks for managing your pill use.
1. Get a pill box.
A pill box is the best way to manage and organize your medication, and by far the best way to determine whether or not you’ve actually taken your medication. There are many different styles of pill boxes for when you need them.
2. Set timers to take your pills.
Setting timers to take your medication is a great way to remind yourself that it’s med time. You can easily set the reminders on your phone or use a manual timer.
3. Take your pills with applesauce or peanut butter.
Many people have difficulty swallowing pills, especially large ones. If this applies to you, try taking pills with applesauce or peanut butter. If this still doesn’t work, and no smaller pills are available, ask your pharmacist or doctor whether or not cutting the pill in half is okay to do.
4. Write down any special instructions.
Write down any special instructions for taking your medications. Some medications must be eaten with food, while some can’t be. Sometimes, you have to avoid eating certain types of food while you’re on a specific medication. If you have difficulty remembering this information, write it down and store it in the same place as the pills.
5. Make sure to follow any directions for storing the pills.
While pill cases are wonderful, some pills can’t be stored in the main pill case. Some medications must be stored in specific conditions. For safe pill storage, always consult your doctor or pharmacy. If a liquid must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, your pharmacist should tell you. If you are concerned, ask.
6. Get a medicine necklace for afternoon doses.
If you have only one or two medication doses to take in the afternoon, consider getting a medication necklace to store your pills in. This way, you’ll have easy access to your pills while on the go. Make sure that it is safe to store your pills this way and make sure the brand is a brand you trust.
7. Keep others up to date on your information.
If at all possible, have at least one other person in your life who knows what medications you take and why you need them. If this is not possible, program in a note or file on your phone or in a notebook that you can give to emergency staff in the event that it is needed.
Conclusion
It’s really easy to store safe pills when you practice good medication safety. With these tips, medication management is no problem. Begin your new medication plan today.