Home Health Care Services We Provide in San Antonio
“Older adults who live alone were found to be more prone to medication errors,” according to research from the National Institute of Health (Medication Management of the Community-Dwelling Older Adult).
Taking medication on time can be crucial to your health and well-being, but it’s not always easy to keep track of when they are due.
Here are five techniques you or your loved one can use to remember to take medications consistently and on time.
Use a pillbox with pre-printed days or dates.
One excellent tactic is to put medication in a weekly pillbox that has one or more compartments for each day. (Some offer three or five compartments for each day, with timeframes.) It’s a great visual reminder of the need to take each medication, and it prevents double-dosing because it acts as a checklist of sorts. You can always check to see if the dose was taken, or if it’s still in place.
Use a smartphone.
If you have a smartphone, you can set up the alarm to buzz at pre-determined times each day. You can set these up to be recurring alarms. Use the snooze option if you are in the middle of a task you must finish first, and the alarm will go off again in nine minutes.
Pair medications with daily tasks that you are unlikely to forget.
Examples are brushing your teeth, preparing your coffee, or feeding your dog (We know Fido won’t let you forget!).
Practice mindfulness.
It seems simple. But with a busy schedule and lots to do, people can sometimes become inattentive and do things automatically without remembering. When it’s time to take a medication, it’s a good idea to stop for a moment and say out loud, “I am taking my 5 pm pill now.” It only takes a moment but will make a difference.
Enlist the help of a companion.
It’s very common for our Alamo Company companions to provide medication reminders, and to help clients set up systems like the above to keep on schedule. Don’t hesitate to request this of your caregiver or companion.
Contact us today if you or your loved one need assistance with medication reminders or other important tasks.
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