Remembering to take medicine can be a challenge. I was taught that the average person remembers it 70% of the time! That is a lot of missed medication! There are helpful and easy ways to remember to take medications more frequently. In order to increase medication compliance try using a medication reminder app, weekly pill box, or pairing medication with an already established habit.
Depending on the medication you take, missing doses can have negative consequences for your health. For example, taking an antibiotic only 70% of the time can lead to the bacteria becoming resistant to that antibiotic so it will no longer work when you need it.
Medication Compliance: Get a weekly pill box
Taking medication can become a mindless activity. When done automatically it can be tricky to recall if you already had it. This leads to missed medication since most people will skip it instead of risking doubling-up.
Getting a weekly pill box can be helpful in this situation. If there is any doubt, you can double check your box. Having the ability to remind yourself if you have taken it will increase medication compliance.
Side Note: Keep medication SAFE
If you have children, or are bringing your medicine to a place where there are children, make sure to keep your medication safe. When medicine is put in a pill box it is generally no longer childproofed. Kids are curious and medicine can look like candy. Don’t risk it!
This medication box has a locking mechanism that will be a “deterrent” to children although it is safer if you keep the medicine in a childproofed pill bottle. You can also buy a locking medication travel bag or medication box and put the pillbox inside.
Medication Reminder: Pair with an existing habit
There are many things we do every day:
- Brushing teeth,
- Eating breakfast,
- Making coffee etc.
Pair taking medication with a daily activity you already do. This will increase the chance you remember to take it. Put it next to your toothbrush or have it sitting next to your coffee machine.
It takes time to develop a new habit so try piggybacking on a habit that is already in place.
Cut down on missed medication: Set an alarm or get a medication reminder app
You can set a daily reminder on your phone or watch. This can be as simple as setting a recurring alarm that will trigger you to take your medication.
Or you can use a FREE app like Round Health to remind you. I like this medication reminder app because not only does it remind you but it keeps track of how often you take it.
Here is what Round Health says about their app:
It provides subtle, persistent reminders that go beyond awkward phone alarms. By helping you set “reminder windows” tailored to your medicine and schedule, Round accommodates life’s unpredictable distractions and removes the stress of staying healthy.
Round features:
・Simple and intuitive interface to viewing all of your medications and vitamins
・Complex scheduling of various doses and schedules
・Tracking and taking of as-needed/PRN medications
・Apple Watch App and Complications
・Refill reminders for medications
・Persistent push notifications that remind you even if you forget or miss the first one
・Streak counting and historical viewing of previous days and months
・Refill tracking and reminders
・Specialized flow for birth control packs
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