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

Identifying & Treating Rotator Cuff Injuries

An injury to the rotator cuff, or the group of four muscles that help to stabilize your shoulder and allow you to move your arm different directions such as overhead and behind your back, is a common cause of pain among adults. In fact, an estimated 30 percent of adults over age 60 have a rotator cuff tear. Rotator injuries can occur from a traumatic event like a fall; however, it is also common for rotator cuff injuries to develop over time from repetitive use.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Scoliosis

Imagine seeing a tree defiantly growing sideways in your yard, prompting thoughts of how to redirect its growth. In a parallel scenario, teenagers with scoliosis exhibit a noticeable trunk shift in their posture. However, the journey to rectifying their upright stance delves into a realm of complexity and intricacy. Proprioception, the body’s innate sense of movement and position, is the key to unlocking proper posture. Through targeted exercises and activities that enhance balance, coordination, and body awareness, we can reshape the way the brain perceives postural alignment.

Tips to Reduce Stress During the Holidays

The holiday season is meant to be joyful, but it often brings its own set of challenges, from financial stress and crowded social events to managing your health and fitness goals. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce stress and enjoy the season with more calmness and clarity.

Why Do I Have to Retrain my Brain to Rehab my Back?

While low back pain is extremely common, it can be difficult to treat, especially if it’s lasted for a long time. In these cases, research recommends that physical therapy interventions should include aerobic exercise, manual therapy as appropriate, and a specific type of patient education called pain neuroscience education, or PNE.

What is Knowledge Translation?

Most of us have been in a situation where we learn something new at a continuing education course, in a new program, or at an in-service that we want to put into practice in the workplace, but nothing ever happens. This happens a lot with evidence-based practice in healthcare. Clinicians want to help their patients achieve the best outcomes, so they learn about new research and techniques; however, there are many reasons why change is hard.

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.