4 Tools to Help You Organize Medications
Things can become confusing when you need to take several medications, some every day, some a few days a week, some multiple times in one day. You may even need to split some pills into smaller pieces to take the right dose. If you forget to take one, take too much of one medication, or you switch days accidentally the consequences could be severe.
Taking certain precautions while also using pill organization tools and pill-splitting devices can assure that you avoid mistakes and take everything as your doctor directed. These four tools for organizing medication will help ensure you stay on top of your pill-taking regime.
Dosing Schedule Charts
When you get medications, be sure that they are labeled and that you understand the dosing instructions, including how much to take and at what time of day. Visit your regular doctor and use one pharmacy to help keep medications straight and ensure you don’t take any that conflict with each other. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before bringing home any new medicines. Be sure you understand how to use it, the potential side effects, and what to do if you miss a dose.
Be sure to take note of your prescription medications, writing down what they are, their use, and what day/time they need to be taken. It's vital to keep a note of the day/time to ensure you take your medications at the right time. This will help reduce the chance of over/underconsumption.
Pill Organizers
Organizing your pills is also essential for decreasing or avoiding the kind of medication mistakes that can be dangerous. A pill organizer is an excellent tool for this purpose. You have several options, including those that include weekly pill organizers or even monthly pill organizers. Some also organize by day with compartments for each day. For instance, the Medi Tray consists of a row for every day of the week. Each day includes a pillbox for the morning, noon, evening, and bedtime. Put your pills in the appropriate box at the start of every week, and you will never have to worry about taking them at the wrong time of day.
For greater convenience and ease of use, you can also choose a pill organizer that is smaller and serves as a pill case and pill dispenser. The Pocket Med Pack includes a seven-day tray of pill pocket containers. When you need to be on the go, grab the pocket for that day’s medication and slip it into your purse or pants pocket. You will have the days pills in a carry case that you need without carrying around a bulky medication tray. Each pill pocket includes two compartments and securely closes so you won’t lose your medications.
Pill Crushers
Sometimes you need to split or crush your pills either because you need a smaller dose or because it’s difficult to swallow one big pill. Using a knife to cut your pills is dangerous and inaccurate. Use a device like the Ultra Pill Splitter instead. It holds your medicine securely in place so that you can accurately cut a pill in half. It also includes safety guards and ergonomic grips so that you won’t hurt yourself.
Medication Apps
Technology can be a massive help in managing your medications. And it's now much easier to use for older adults who aren't accustomed to using smartphones. These helpful apps include features that remind you when to take specific pills when you've missed taking medicine and reminders when to get refills. They also help with storing doctor and pharmacy contact information. Consumer Report found these three widely used HIPAA-compliant medication apps to be beneficial:
Your medications are essential for your health, and correctly taking them is even more critical. Take your pill organization seriously and get the right tools to help you keep it everything in order.