6 smart tips for keeping track of your meds

It’s no secret that as we age, our risk of developing chronic diseases increases exponentially. In 2018, the CDC and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) reported that as much as 27.2% of U.S. adults have multiple chronic conditions. And when it comes to chronic conditions, medications to keep them under control are par for the course. In fact, as many as 36% of seniors take five or more medications per day. That’s a lot to remember.

But what happens when you miss a pill one day? Or if you’re not sure whether you’ve already had your daily dose? Whether you’re taking one pill or six, the chances for a mix-up or forgetting to take your pills looms large. So while medications may be the best way to keep the symptoms of chronic conditions in check, smart medication management of your daily meds is crucial to your overall health and wellbeing.

Why is medication management so important?

Proper medication management boils down to a safety issue. “Understanding how to take your medication and the purpose of your medication is critical to your health and well-being,” says Tina M. Baxter, a board-certified gerontological nurse practitioner based in Indiana.

Not only are missed doses bad for obvious reasons, but Baxter notes that there’s an inherent danger to taking a pill because you’re not sure if you already did. “Doubling up on medicine can be just as dangerous as missing your dose altogether,” she says. “For example, an accidental double dose of medication for pain or anxiety can lead to marked drowsiness, and in some cases, it can result in an accidental overdose.”

You also need to be your own advocate, particularly if you visit different doctors for different reasons. “If your primary care provider starts you on a medication for your blood pressure at a visit in their office and your heart doctor starts you on another medication for your blood pressure, you’re now getting more of the same medication you’re already taking,” she says.

If you’re not communicating effectively with your medical providers, overprescription isn’t the only risk. “Sometimes medications given together may counteract each other and prevent each one from working properly,” says Baxter.

So how do you get yourself on track? Here’s what Baxter recommends.

Step 1: Gather all medicines into one place

It’s not uncommon to stash meds throughout the house based on the time of day you tend to take them. Kitchen drawers and cabinets, nightstands, and bathroom vanities are often popular spots, but managing your meds this way could lead to trouble. The truth is, this is one of the quickest ways to lose track of your meds.

A better way to remember to take your medication is to bring all of them into one location. Not only will it help you remember to take them, but it can also help you get a better idea of what you’re taking, when you’re running low, and you’ll certainly be able to keep an eye on expiration dates.

In addition, be sure to mind where you’re storing them, as improper storage can affect their potency and longevity. Typically, bathroom cabinets are not ideal for medicine storage, as they are known for dampness and heat fluctuations. Most medicines should be stored in a cool, dry place—and, of course, away from pets and kids.

Step 2: Presort your doses

Staying organized is key when it comes to good medication adherence long term. And one of the easiest ways to do that is by presorting them on a weekly basis using a pill box or organizer. Remember that these items are intended to streamline your medication regimen, so a good pill box should be large enough to accommodate all of your doses. These items come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, and they often range from no-tech to high-tech. Ultimately, it’s most important to choose one that meets your needs and matches your aptitude.

A simple solutions for once-daily medications

If all your meds are taken, say, at breakfast, you can get away with a simple seven-day segmented organizer like this one from Bug Hull, which comes as a two-pack. More than 7,800 reviewers bestowed it an average of 4.8 stars, stating its compartments are roomy and the whole thing is well-made, opening easily and closing securely.

$8 at Amazon

An easy way to consolidate morning and nighttime doses

Technically, you could use two of those single-dose weekly boxes for meds that are taken twice a day. But do yourself a favor (and follow the expert advice) with two-dose-a-day box like this one from Ezy Dose. More than 77,000 Amazon reviewers love the spacious sections and easy-to-press push buttons that make accesses your meds a breeze. $5 at Amazon

A high-tech solution for medication management

If you have a lot of meds or you’re helping someone else keep track of their doses, the Monthly Pill Organizer by Ellie is the Mercedes of medication management. It integrates smart reminders via a mobile app, learns your schedule using AI, and contains 30 days worth of meds. It can even be programmed to alert a caregiver via app if a dose is missed. $149 at Amazon

Step 3: Find reminders that work for you

Typically, you can make taking your meds part of your routine (say, with breakfast). But if you’re having trouble remembering to take them—or you have one med that’s on an off schedule from the rest—external reminders can go a long way toward keeping you on track. For those who always have their smartphone nearby, you can add alarms into your smartphone or smartwatch or download a mobile app, like the well-reviewed Medisafe medication reminder app. The good thing about using a smart device is there’s likely no limit to the number of alarms you can set, so whether you’re taking three pills or eight, you should have no issue using it for pill reminders.

That said, if "smart" reminders don’t work for you, there are myriad ways to use visual reminders for medication management, such as:

• Keep pill bottles visible in a spot you visit routinely at the same time every day, like near your coffee maker
• Turn pill bottles upside down once you’ve taken the dose—just don’t forget to turn them right side up at the end of the day
• Put sticky notes on the bathroom mirror for morning pill doses and on the fridge or elsewhere in the kitchen for midday or evening doses to be taken around lunch or dinner
• Set up an old alarm clock near where you keep your meds to go off at the dose time you have the most trouble remembering

Step 4: Set up a tracking system

Like anything you do daily, developing a system for recording your meds will be infinitely helpful, particularly if you prefer to or must keep medications in their original packaging.

The simplest way is to grab a pencil and paper pad and just write daily entries as you go, or use a printed calendar and place a checkmark in each daily box when you take your pills—if you use a calendar, you can also mark off when certain meds expire or you’ll need to call in a refill. It’s not a bad idea to also record how you feel each day and at what time you experience any symptoms, particularly if you’re beginning a new medication that could have side effects.

If you’re managing two or more pills a day or need to take your meds at varying times throughout the day, preprinted medication logbooks can be a good way to go. Or you can buy handy trackers that affix directly to your medication bottles like the Take and Slide Pill Tracker—when you take your daily dose, simply flip the toggle, and you’re set. $8 at Amazon

$20 at Amazon

Step 5: Create a routine

If you have medications you must take throughout the day, creating a routine around your meds is another great way to prevent missed doses.

For example, think about taking your morning meds before you walk the dog or feed the cat. Similarly, you can try scheduling your midday doses around your lunch, or perhaps with your afternoon coffee or tea. At the end of your day, your evening doses can be taken with your dessert or just after brushing your teeth before bed.

Of course, everyone’s life is different, and if there are no pets or regular nightly desserts, find something that works for you but is consistent enough to serve as a good prompt to take a dose.

Step 6: Schedule brown-bag checkups

Baxter also suggests scheduling a medication review with your doctor or pharmacist at least once per year. Also known as a brown-bag checkup, this procedure is just as it sounds: You round up all of your medications, toss them in a bag, and bring them to a provider whom you trust to review everything you’re on. (Alternatively, you can just make a detailed list of all your medications, including dosage and frequency, to bring to your next appointment.)

From there, a doctor or nurse practitioner can re-prescribe, discontinue, or evaluate doses, while a pharmacist can suggest which ones to bring to your doctor’s attention for possible drug interactions.