Medication Management
Category
Most people take their medications at home without the help of a medical professional. That means that most of us manage our own prescriptions, which can be challenging, especially for those with multiple medications.
Medication errors can include taking the incorrect dose of medication, missing doses, taking the wrong medicines, incorrect administration, and wrong administration time or wrong frequency.
Medication errors are common, especially among older adults, but they can happen to anyone. So how can you make sure you’re taking the right meds, at the right time, in the right doses?
Medication management isn’t always a walk in the park, especially for people with many medications and a complicated medication schedule. Try out some of these tips if medication management is something you worry about and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Create a Medication List
Create a medication list and schedule that tracks each medication’s name, dose, frequency and time, instructions, shape and color of medication, and the prescribing doctor. This can help you and your family know what you’re taking and when. It is also helpful for communicating with your care team. Make sure to include over-the-counter medications and supplements in this list.
Use a pill organizer
Pill organizers can organize your medication by day of the week and time of day. This will help lower your chances of forgetting whether you’ve taken your medication and taking too much. There are so many pill organizers on the market now, you’re bound to find something that works for you and your medication schedule.
Make your meds part of your daily routine
An easy way to do this is to incorporate your medications into routines you already have like brushing your teeth, meals, or other activities based on your medication’s instructions. If you need to take your medication with food twice a day, take it with your breakfast and dinner if that fits the medications instructions.
Use reminders
Technology can be incredibly useful when trying to avoid medication errors. Set up alarms in your phone, use a medication-management app, ask your smart devices to remind you to take your medications at specific times of the day.
