12 Tips to Manage Medications

Properly managing your medications is an integral part of your overall health and wellness, especially for seniors. Cognitive impairments can make medication management increasingly difficult and errors may have serious consequences, which makes this an overwhelming activity for many people. Occupational therapists are experts in working with individuals to analyze this activity of daily living and come up with strategies and techniques to help people maintain independence in this area.

Here are 12 tips to help you manage your medications.

  1. Always have a list of your current medications on hand for medical providers and in the event of an emergency. 
  2. Familiarize yourself with the name, dosage, frequency, side effects, why the medication was prescribed, and what symptoms the medication treats. 
  3. Always check with your physician before making any changes to your medications. 
  4. Ask your pharmacist or physician if you have any questions about your medications, including side effects or drug interactions. 
  5. Use one pharmacy to manage all of your medications to avoid any potential medication interactions. 
  6. Consider using a medication minder or pill box. These come in single-dose or multi-dose boxes and in weekly or monthly boxes. 
  7. Some pharmacies offer a service to prepackage your medications by dose and day in a bubble pack for you, eliminating the need for pill bottles, medication minders, or pill boxes.
  8. Automatic pill dispensers are available. These devices sort and distribute your medications for you. 
  9. If you have difficulty opening your medication bottles and you do not have children or pets in your household who can get into your medications, ask your pharmacy for “easy off” medication containers that do not have the child lock feature. Most pharmacies offer this option. 
  10. Use your cell phone to set reminders or alarms to help you remember to take your medications on time. 
  11. Place your medications in a location that will act as a visual reminder to take them such as the kitchen table, the bathroom, or on your bedside table. Make sure to always keep your medications out of reach of small children or pets. 
  12. Consider taking your medications prior to or immediately after another daily ritual such as a meal. 

If you or a loved one need additional strategies to master your activities of daily living and maintain independence, occupational therapy may be right for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Top 3 Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and are looking to start a new exercise program? Research has indicated that exercise can help reduce the progression of Parkinson’s Disease and can provide relief from motor symptoms, stiffness, or mood changes that can be associated with the diagnosis. It’s recommended to see a physical therapist who is experienced in treating people with Parkinson’s Disease to identify specific areas of improvement and to assist you in establishing a safe, customized exercise program. Learn exercises to address different elements of physical exercise and wellness.

Avocado toast with turkey bacon and tomato

5 No-Egg Healthy Breakfast Ideas​

As many of you may know, there’s been an ongoing egg shortage due to the bird flu, which has significantly impacted egg prices — up by more than 50% from last year. While this may have made your usual breakfast routine a bit more challenging, fear not! There are plenty of other protein-rich options to fuel your day.

Q&A: What to Expect When Facing an Upper or Lower Limb Amputation

In the United States alone, approximately 185,000 amputations occur each year, and 2 million people are living with limb loss. In recognition of Limb Loss Awareness Month, this article addresses common questions surrounding limb loss, from the reasons for amputation to returning to favorite activities following surgery. An amputation is the surgical removal of part of the body, usually an arm or leg. There are three main reasons for amputation.

The Interdisciplinary Approach in Rehabilitation to Multiple Sclerosis Care

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects nearly 1 million people in the United States alone. MS is an immune-mediated disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin insulation that surrounds the nerves in the central nervous system. This damage causes widespread symptoms varying in severity, including fatigue, weakness, sensation loss, visual impairments, and walking and balance impairments. These symptoms of MS can impact someone’s mobility, quality of life, ability to work and provide for their family, relationships, and community participation. Because these symptoms can impact so many aspects of a person’s life, a rehabilitative care team should consist of multiple disciplines that work together to provide a collaborative, all-encompassing care plan, called interdisciplinary care.

9 Ways to Improve Sleep After a Concussion

After a concussion, there are a lot of common misconceptions about sleep. Mainly, is it safe to sleep following this mild traumatic brain injury? The answer is yes – it is okay to sleep after a concussion! This misconception stems from an out-of-date recommendation to wake the person up every hour to check on them. However, that is only if there is concern about the risk for a brain hemorrhage or bleed that wasn’t immediately apparent.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.