Help Mom remember her pills

Help Mom remember her pills

Need help with Mom remember her pills

Smart pill dispenser Helping Mom Remember her Pills

Help Mom remember her pills
Caregivers need Help

Is Mom remember her pills every day?  My mom is 90 year old with fading memory.   This has now effected how she is taking her pills.  Age induced medication Mistakes (AIMM‘s) is going to get worse and she gets older.  Her old fashion Pill Box was useless.

Help one of your parents remember to properly take medications is critical.  In fact, it is one of the most important things you can do for loved ones.  First, get a firm handle on the medications are being taken.  For example, including not just prescribed medications, but also over-the-counter drugs, supplements, vitamins, and home remedies.

What can I do to Help Mom remember her Pills?

She needs a smart pill box or smart pill dispenser.  Forgetting pills or over dosing is no laughing matter.  Medication mistakes cause over 400,000 premature and unnecessary death per year.  Take a proactive Strategy the best way you can help  Help Mom remember her Pills.

Mom Forgetting Pills is a Big problem

The Wall Street Journal calls medication errors “America’s Other drug problem”.  The need for a smart pill box for mom and dad can not be understated

  • 1 in 10 Hospital visits for med errors  American Hospital Association
  • 1 in 4 Assisted living admits are premature
  • Wastes over 280 Billion dollars a year

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    MED-Q is the Best pill dispenser for dementia

MedQ Smart Pill Dispenser the Rescue

Seniors need help to remember to take medications properly.  First of all,  what they need to take.  Second of all,  when the medications are to be taken, Third of all, it will help to make sure that their medicine is readily available, organized in a pill box and kept in a visible place.

Pillboxes and similar medication dispensers will help

pill boxAn old fashion pill box is a container that helps organize medications as well as supplements.  The newest technology will aid in sorting pills if Mom one is taking doses multiple times a day. In either case, a pill box is a must for seniors.  The newest technology allows the user or their caregiver to  make sure if proper dosage.  In addition, they will help to prevent overdosing. Along with helping to organize and schedule medications, they also make pills visible and easier to see and remember.

First of all, this is easier said than done.  Most seniors  are not very helpful with medication management.  However, it’s importance can not be underestimated. But it’s still an important step. You may wish to try to make a working list by looking at the pill bottles in the bathroom or kitchen, or interviewing your parent. Even if this doesn’t paint a full picture, it may at least help you find out what they are and aren’t taking regularly.

U.S. News & World Report reports

There are many different medication sorters and pill dispensers.  Again , find the one suited to  your loved one’s needs. For instance, there are pillbox models to help Mom remember her pills.

  • Color-coded design
  • Flashing Guides and Audio Alarms
  • Electronics can give verbal reminders, play alarms, telephone call, etc.
  • Synced up to smartphone apps

.  The average Women over the age of 65 takes 6 prescription medication per day.   This does not include any vitamins or supplements.  Mom forgetting pills makes existing problems worse.   Any type of smart pill dispenser or pill reminder is need to manage mom’s medication. Technology has many new types of  reminders for your mom or dad.  Mom forgetting pills issue solved with the  MedQ Smart pill dispenser

Telephone Reminder services for Mom

pill dispenser with alarmsThere are paid services that help Mom remember her pills.  They will call her  at Medication time.  Even withe phone calls, studies show that 30%  of the time seniors still don’t take their pills.  They say that they mean to take them later and then forget.  The other side of the coin is just as bad. If Mom doesn’t think she took them that day, she will take them again and again.  A crisis in the making.

Mom remember her pills is going to get worse as the get older

  Using a smart pillbox or some type of smart pill dispenser should be your first decision on the medication management for your mom.  Remember, Mom forgetting pills is not like forgetting to take out the trash.  Forgetting to take out the trash will not lead to lose of Health and Independence.

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What is the best smart pill dispenser fol Mom remember her pills

If you can’t remember whether you took your medication, what do you do?

What happens if you don’t remember if you took your medications?  When one is not sure if you took a pill, never, ever just take another dose yet. What could happen if you double dose?  If someone ingests an additional dose, the consequences can be deadly. In fact, an extra dose can raise the risk of harmful effects. Check your pill organizer, count the remaining pills in the bottle, or review the instructions that came with your prescription to find specific guidance. 

doctorHealth care profsionals are in agreement, “For most medications, it is safer to accidentally miss a single dose than to double dose” . Keep in mind that the pill/dosing guidelines vary drastically depending on the medication.  For example, it is different for  blood thinners or something like birth control.), it is always best to double-check with a professional.  If in doubt, call the local pharmacy you got the prescription filled.  Also, call e the America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 .  This can help if you are concerned about over dosing. 

For further guidance, consult I can’t remember whether I took my medication, what do I do? on Medical News Today. To help prevent confusion in the future, you can implement some 9 Simple Strategies for Remembering To Take Your Medication or read the Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Medication guide on WebMD.
 
If you are missing doses consistently, a few strategies can help get your routine back on track:
  • Use a weekly pillbox: These old fashion pill holders can be useful.   They show a quick visual cue to show which days  doses have been taken.
  • Use a Digital Pill Reminder: Medication reminders, like the Med-Q pill Box. have flashing guides.  These alarmed reminders help preventing over dosing. 
  • Try to do Habit stacking: Match up your daily pill-taking with a non-negotiable daily habit.  For example, your first cup of coffee or brushing yourhair.
  • Set electronic reminders: Use persistent reminder apps, alarm clocks, or simple smart phone alarm reminders.

What to do if Unsure?

The worry about over doing is real.  When unsure whether the dose has been taken, the best thing to do is speak with your health care provider or even your pharmacist. They will  advise you on the best course of action based on ythe specific medication. that is over dosed.

pill box for seniors

If you take oral tablets or capsules, you can count how many pills you have left. If you know when you started taking the pills out of that prescription bottle, this could help you determine whether you’ve taken your dose for that day.

Sometimes, when you haven’t taken your medication, there may still be time to take that dose. However, this could depend on the drug and dosing schedule.

Although in some cases, if it’s almost time to take your next dose, your doctor may recommend skipping the missed dose and taking your next dose at its regular time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose as doing so could raise your risk of side effects.

What happens if you accidentally take your medication twice?

Do not take more of a drug than your doctor prescribes. While serious side effects may be rare, for some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose. Some of the most dangerous medications to double-dose include:

  • heart maintenece medications
  • ADHD drugs, for example “Adderall”
  • medications for Type 1 Diabetes
  • prescription narcotic pain pills
  • psychiatric medications , for example “Wellbutrin.”

If you have any doubt, act quickly. 

Fist of all, contact your doctor right away.  Let them know you may have accidentally taken two doses or three doses of your daily medication. They will offer up advice.  The Healthcare profesional can often advise of what steps to take.  Also, they will let you know about symptoms to watch out for.

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