General Medication-Taking Strategies
Organizational and reminder strategies
It can be difficult to remember to take your medications, especially if taking more than one. We have included some strategies below that might help you remember to take your medications. You may have to try several reminder strategies before you figure out what works best for you.
Have a routine
Make taking your medications part of your daily routine. Linking your medication schedule with something you already do every day can help you remember to take your medications. For example:
- Align medication taking with your daily routine (e.g. brushing your teeth in the morning or before bed).
- Medications that need to be taken with food can become your “mealtime medications” by integrating them as part of your eating routine
If you are linking your medication to part of a routine, be sure to check with your pharmacist first to see if your medication needs to be taken at a certain time of day, if there are any potential interactions with food, and if it should be taken on a full or empty stomach.
Organize your home environment
Keeping your medications where you will easily see them, rather than in a cupboard, may help you remember to take them. Note that some medications must be stored in certain conditions (e.g. refrigerated, out of direct sunlight), so please check with your pharmacist if you are unsure how your medication should be stored. Also, if medications are being stored in non-childproof lids, it is important to store them in a secure location out of reach of children and pets.
Other examples of organizing the home environment include:
- Sorting the medications in pill organizers and placing them in multiple locations that are often visited in the house (e.g. kitchen, living room)
- Keeping a water bottle and pill organizer on a table or nightstand by the bed for nighttime medications
- Creating a medication schedule and displaying it in a visible location (e.g. on the fridge)
Set up a calendar
Using a calendar on your phone or email may also serve as a reminder to take your medications. You can set an alert in your calendar, so you are notified on your phone, tablet, smartwatch, or computer when it is time to take your medication.
Use a medication app
There are many different apps that you can download to your electronic devices (phone, tablet, etc.) to help keep track of and remember to take your medications. The functionalities of these apps differ but many allow you to input your medication schedule or send push notifications directly to your electronic devices. Examples of available apps include Medisafe, MyTherapy, and Mango Health.
There is no “best” medication reminder app, so you may have to test different ones and see what features you like and what works best for you. To help you decide which app to use, you should also consider other factors such as:
- Whether there is available evidence to show if the app works
- If the app has good security (e.g. how is your data stored and who has access to your data?)
- If the app is free or if you are willing to pay
- If data collected from the app is used with the user’s consent
- If data can be shared with those who use it for your care
Set an alarm
You can use your smart phone to set alarms based on your daily medication schedule. If you tend to shut your alarm off before taking your medication, you may consider setting more than one alarm a few minutes apart to ensure you remember to take it. Another option is to set your alarm to one of your favourite songs and keep it playing until you take your medications.
Set up reminder phone calls
Some organizations offer free, pre-recorded reminder phone calls that you will receive based on your medication schedule. Ask your healthcare provider if this is available in your area.
Purchase an automated medication dispenser
Medication dispensers are devices that automatically dispense medications based on an entered schedule. However, it is important that you have your medication dispenser with you, so you know when the medication is dispensed.
References
Ahmed, I., Ahmad, N. S., Ali, S., Ali, S., George, A., Saleem Danish, H., Uppal, E., Soo, J., Mobasheri, M. H., King, D., Cox, B., & Darzi, A. (2018). Medication adherence The act of taking medications as prescribed based on timing, dosage, and frequency of medication use. apps: Review and content analysis. JMIR Publications, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.6432
Aungst, T. (2022, June 9). Medication reminder apps for Apple and Android. GoodRx. https://wsww.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/digital-health/medication-reminder-apps
Boron, J. B., Rogers, W. A., & Fisk, A. D. (2013). Everyday memory strategies for medication adherence The act of taking medications as prescribed based on timing, dosage, and frequency of medication use. . Geriatric Nursing, 34(5), 395–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2013.05.010
Cadel, L., Hitzig, S. L., Packer, T. L., Patel, T., Lofters, A. K., Thompson, A., & Guilcher, S. J. (2020). Spinal Cord Injury/dysfunction and medication management: A qualitative study exploring the experiences of community-dwelling adults in Ontario, Canada. Disability and Rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. , 44(1), 24–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1756000
Jimmy, B., & Jose, J. (2011). Patient medication adherence The act of taking medications as prescribed based on timing, dosage, and frequency of medication use. : Measures in daily practice. Oman Medical Journal, 26(3), 155–159. https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2011.38
John Hopkins Medicine. (2022, September 29). Medication management and safety tips. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/help-for-managing-multiple-medications
Regional Geriatric Programs of Ontario. (2019). Caregiving Strategies Handbook: Providing Care and Support for a Senior Living with Frailty. https://rgpson.mydev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/RGPO-Handbook-Medication-r2.pdf
ReNue Pharmacy. (2022, January 6). Multiple medications: How compounding can make your daily routine easier. ReNue Rx. https://renuerx.com/medication-services/multiple-medications-how-compounding-can-make-your-daily-routine-easier/
Note: Some of the information included above is also based on lived experiences.