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.