The hardest part of aging is probably the number of medications a single person has to keep track of and remember to take. This can be especially stressful if the individual isn’t able to track them on their own, and a caregiver must do so on their behalf.
There are many ways to track and manage medications, and not all are created equal. Read on to discover our top tips for managing medications for seniors.
7 Tips for Managing Multiple Medications
1. Keep a Master List of All Medications
Chances are, your doctor didn’t just wake up one day and assign you ten medications at once (though it can happen). And since you don’t have a medical system that tracks it all for you, you need to make your own master list of your medications.
Although this is a bit old-fashioned, we recommend writing or typing a master list. Include the names of the medications, how often you need to take them, and any interactions. You may also want to indicate whether an appointment or blood test is needed to order a refill.
Then, print this list and post it to your fridge. This will make it easy for you to track, as well as for a caregiver or family member. Additionally, if there is an emergency, it is easy for a firefighter or EMT to grab the list and take it with you to the hospital.
2. Buy a Pill Organizer
We know it’s cliché, and we know you swore you would never buy one, but pill organizers are one of the best ways to manage multiple medications needing to be taken weekly. Not only that, but you can set a time to refill them each week, ensuring your weekly medications are also added to the organizer.
Pill organizers are easy to tuck into a bag if you are spending the night away from home, and easy for you to see when you’ve already taken your pills for the day. It also keeps all your pills in one place, easy to move out of reach when family comes over, or keep within your sight so you don’t forget to take them.
Pill organizers come in all shapes and sizes, from ones designed for single-day doses to those designed for morning and night doses each day. If you often forget daily doses, consider setting an alarm to remind you.
3. Put Something in Your Wallet
If you are on medications with severe interactions, like many chemo meds, you should ask your doctor for a wallet card, or buy your own. This will ensure that if you are out and the worst happens, anyone checking your wallet will know what medications they can and cannot give you.
It is also worthwhile to get an allergy card printed with all your medication and food allergies. While this might sound crazy, it really can save your life if something happens in your later years.
4. Stick to One Pharmacy
As you amass more and more medications, one of the best ways to simplify your mental load (or that of your caregiver) is to choose one pharmacy and stick with it. Not only will this make refill runs easier, but this will also ensure that everything you are taking is listed in one place, and even if a doctor makes a mistake, a flag will come up in the pharmacist’s system.
On this note, if you ever have questions about medications, don’t be afraid to ask a pharmacist—sometimes they know even more than your doctor does.
5. Regularly Dispose of Expired Medication
Taking expired medication can be just as dangerous as taking the wrong medication, so ensure you set a date in your calendar to go through your cabinet and toss anything past date. We recommend setting a monthly date with an alarm, so nothing slips by your notice. Caregivers, especially, should make this a priority as this is something easy they can do that will really help their patients.
**Ensure you follow proper medication disposal rules for your area. Many pharmacies have returns. If yours doesn’t, it’s best to toss the pills in unused cat litter, then add water to dissolve them before throwing the whole bag away. For those regularly disposing of controlled medication, order a bucket of cat litter, empty the top layer, and keep it on your back stoop or porch to dispose of medication as you need to. Then, after a few months, ask a family member to help you put it in the trash can.
6. Discuss All Supplements With Your Doctor
By the age of 60, most individuals take at least one over-the-counter supplement daily. Whether you take calcium, a B12 vitamin, or even just a multivitamin, ensure you mention this to your healthcare provider. Many prescription medications have over-the-counter drug interactions, some of which can be fatal.
The same goes for caregivers—never add an over-the-counter medication to your patient’s pill schedule without discussing it with a doctor first.
7. Store Medications and Pill Boxes Safely
Unfortunately, many accidents happen when it comes to prescription medications. Whether it’s a mischievous cat knocking something off the counter or a young grandchild finding something on the floor and thinking it is candy, you must be careful when you store your medication.
If you are able to, we recommend buying a locking pill cabinet and keeping your pills in there. This is the safest way to store medication. Of course, we know this isn’t possible for everyone, so a closed cabinet out of reach will work as well—just make sure you keep all pills there when you aren’t actively taking them.
We know accidents happen, and you may occasionally drop one on the floor when you are taking it. If this happens, try to grab the pill right away and dispose of it. If you are unable to find it, vacuum immediately after. A hand vac, or Roomba, can go a long way toward helping you keep your home safe and clean without having to struggle to bend over to find a lost pill.
Caring for an aging family member and not sure where to start? Check out our resources for caring for aging parents.
