Recently we noticed one of our new clients that lives alone whom we see daily was having wide swings in terms of energy and mood. When we asked him about it, he admitted he might not have been taking all of his medications. He got a pill box and his nurse helped organize his medications in it. His ‘morning’ compartment alone has ten pills! Within a couple days, both his energy and mood were much better. We added checking his pill box to make sure medications were taken to his care services we provide and remind him to take his medications if he has forgotten to do so when we visit him.
He’s not alone. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that as many as 55% of seniors fail to take their medications as prescribed, often due to forgetfulness or difficulty managing multiple medications. Other solutions for managing medications include:
Setting reminders on a phone or computer to help seniors remember to take their medications at the appropriate times.
Receiving pills in ‘pre-packs’. A week’s, or even month’s supply of pills can be supplied in blister packs, pre-sorted by day of the week with compartments for different times of the day.
Automatic pill dispensers. Essentially you load a month (or more) worth of pills into the device. It emits audio and visual alerts, reminders that it’s time to take medications, as well as dispensing the medications. Many models can be locked to help prevent confusion and accidental opening of the dispenser and taking the wrong pills.
Medication management can be a challenge for seniors who live alone, especially if they have multiple health conditions and are taking several medications. In addition to these solutions, seniors should also speak with their healthcare provider about their medications and any potential side effects or interactions.
