Taking your medications on time is essential for maintaining your health. However, it can be easy to forget, especially if you have a busy schedule. You are not alone. Many people forget to take their medications on time.
If you have diabetes or another chronic condition, missing a dose of medication can have serious consequences. Your body needs your help to regulate itself, so if you’re constantly skipping or missing doses, you need to find a way to do better and take medication on time. Luckily, there are a few simple tips and tricks you can use to make sure you take your medication on time.
This article is here to help. Read below to learn what you can do for yourself as we discuss some tips and tricks that will help you take your medication on time.
#1. Use Mobile Applications
You can easily use your phone to deal with your medication problem. Most pharmacies have integrated themselves online and have applications that you can download. Once you have the relevant application, you can set an alarm and remind yourself when to take your pill.
Many pharmacies, like Creative Care Pharmacy, offer free smartphone applications. They allow you to create your profile, list the medicines you take, and order them from the comfort of your home. You can also utilize their pill reminder service. This feature reminds you when your prescription needs refilling or you need to take your medication through a text or a loud notification bell.
So, if you’re in the habit of forgetting to take your medicines on time, download the app, and you’ll be sorted.
#2. Get an Alarm Based Device
The market is brimming with numerous alarm-based devices that can help you take your medication on time. You can use a handheld timer that rings when it’s time to take your medication. These devices have different alarms that beep when you need to take your medicine. Since the device is compact, you can easily put it in your purse or pocket, ensuring it stays within your hearing range.
In order to find a suitable gadget for yourself, identify your medical needs and search accordingly to find the tool that can help you manage your pills adequately.
#3. Make Sure Your Medications are Visible
If you keep your medicines in drawers or away from your line of sight, there’s a chance you may forget about them. Therefore, instead of tucking your pills away, put them in places where you can see them.
For example, keep your medications on your bedside table next to the lamp in your bedroom. Similarly, if you don’t have little children in the house, you can keep your pill boxes on your dining table or the kitchen counter to see them whenever you pass by these rooms. If you have children, you can’t leave your medicines lying around since they can get into the bottles or boxes.
#4. Ask for Help
There is no harm in asking for help. If you struggle to stay on top of your pills, you may need family or friends to help you. This is particularly useful for people with ADHD. If you have ADHD, you may find it hard to focus and forget important things often. Hence, ask a friend or a family member to help you in these cases. They can give you a call, shoot you a text, or, if they live close by, make a quick pit stop at your house and ensure you take your medicines.
Service dogs can also help you take your medications on time. Service dogs are trained to alert you to take your medicine. They may paw your feet or nudge your hand in time to remind you that it is time for your pills.
#5. Try the Old School Way
If you’re willing to put in the work, then the old-school way of managing your medications is the correct technique for you. To do this, you will need to jot down all the medicines you need on a calendar and mark the dates on which you need to get a refill. After you list your medicines, also write the time you need to take them daily. When you take the required medication, check them off the calendar.
While this method is daunting and tedious, it is bulletproof. You can also use a notebook or a whiteboard to keep track of your medicines. You can also get a pill organizer and manually separate all your medication into square-shaped compartments for each day of the week.
#6. Set a Routine
Sometimes, a structured approach is what you need to ensure you take your pills on time. For instance, if you wake up every day at nine a.m., take note of the medications you need to take in the morning and have them once you wake up. If you have medications that you need to take after your meals, place your pills next to your food. Another way to remind yourself to have your medicines is to connect them with daily activity.
For instance, if you need to take your medication before bed, keep your pills beside your bed. If you brew coffee in the morning, keep your medicines next to your coffee pot so you take them as you prepare for the day.
You need to train yourself to have your medication as you go about your routine so that it becomes second nature to you.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to taking your medicines, you cannot be careless. However, despite knowing how important it is to take your medication on time, most people struggle to maintain a schedule and take their pills as needed. To avoid this problem, you need to become proactive about your medicines.
Skipping a dose is detrimental to your health. So, stick to a routine, use your phone as a reminder, and lean on loved ones to help you. In short, find a system that works for you and follow it thoroughly.
Beth is Cloudmineinc’s senior health editor and a certified personal trainer. She has over 10 years experience as a science journalist and is the author of two books. She deadlifts over 315 lbs.