Keeping track of your medication while dealing with a health condition can be challenging, especially for seniors. Taking multiple medicines that require different timings throughout the day or week can increase the likelihood of making errors. This can be particularly challenging if you are a senior living independently.
Therefore it’s important to know how modern alert systems and reminders can assist you to keep track of them.
In this article, we will look at the most effective ways for keeping track of when to take each medication and how to reduce medication errors, mishaps, and other challenges of polypharmacy. The use of alert systems and reminders can greatly assist in taking medications at the right time and treating health symptoms effectively.
Understanding Your Medications
It is crucial to be knowledgeable about the doses, side effects, and other important details of each medication you are taking, particularly if you have been prescribed multiple medications for your medical conditions.
Understanding the proper doses of medication is critical for ensuring that you are receiving the right amount of medication needed for effective treatment. Failing to take the prescribed dose may put you at risk of experiencing negative side effects or not receiving the full benefits of the treatment.
Additionally, understanding the potential side effects of each medication can help you identify any potential issues or complications before they become significant health risks. This knowledge is particularly important when taking multiple medications, as the risk of interactions between medications increases.
Knowing the essential details of each prescription medication can also help you use them safely and effectively. Being aware of how to use the medication properly, such as when and how to take it, can prevent errors that may result in harm or reduce its effectiveness.
Moreover, taking the time to understand each medication's purpose and how it interacts with other medications can help you develop a comprehensive understanding of your treatment plan and its outcomes.
Traditional Methods Of Keeping Track Of Medicines
Traditional methods for tracking medication, such as using a pillbox, writing it down on a calendar, or relying on memory, have a long history of use but may result in problems. Recent studies have shown that these methods are not always effective, particularly for individuals with multiple medical conditions or taking multiple medications.
For example, a pill box requires consistent refilling, and it may be difficult to identify the medications in the box if the person forgets which pills are which. Writing down medication use on a calendar can be helpful, but it may not be easy to keep track of all medications, particularly if multiple medications need to be taken at different times throughout the day. Relying on memory can be particularly challenging, particularly if a person has multiple medical conditions or is taking multiple medications.
Using Modern Technology For Medicine Safety
While traditional methods may help some people manage their medication use, using technology, such as medication tracking apps, can provide additional support and help remind individuals when to take their medications, alert them to potential interactions, and offer additional information about their conditions and treatments.
Ultimately, it is important to discuss all available options with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate and effective tracking method for each individual.
Popular Medicine Tracking Apps
There are several medication tracking apps available that can assist users in monitoring and managing their medication schedules.
Medisafe offers reminders for taking medication and tracking tools. MyTherapy allows users to track not only their medication but also their mood and measurements, and share progress with healthcare providers. Mango Health provides medication reminders, drug interaction alerts, and a rewards program.
CareZone allows users to keep track of medication, refill reminders, and symptom tracking. Finally, Round Health allows users to schedule medication reminders and provides progress tracking. These apps can help individuals stay on top of their medication schedules and improve their overall health outcomes.
These apps help improve medication adherence, but users should research and compare different apps to find the one that suits their needs. And they might not be helpful for a senior who struggles to navigate through gadgets such as smartphones or tablets.
This is where an Automatic Pill Dispenser comes in, it can dispense medicine automatically and inform the user at the time of their dose.
Advantages of Automatic Pill Dispenser
An automatic pill dispenser can be beneficial for people prescribed various medications especially seniors. An automatic pill dispenser uses alarm alerts to remind the user about their medicine thus reducing the chances of missing a dose.
It comes with tamper-proof compartments thus eliminating the risk of improper or unscheduled doses. A simple user interface makes it easy to change or update reminders and provide accurate alerts thus reducing the chance of hospitalization due to improper dosage.
They are great for seniors with compromised cognitive ability or memory loss.
Using An Automatic Pill Dispenser
Most automatic pill dispensers are quite easy to use. The Automatic Pill Dispenser by Northwood Intouch is capable of storing 28 medication doses. By filling the compartments with the appropriate medications, programming the alarm times , and securing the unit, users can receive the necessary medication.
The dispensing system is designed with real-world scenarios in mind to assist users regardless of their health history. A senior can set a pill reminder according to their need and program it for additional reminders as well.
Northwood Intouch provides the best medical alert systems in Canada that offer top-notch utility and assist with better medication management.
Final Thoughts
Automatic Pill Dispensers are one of the best personal devices to keep track of medications, especially for seniors.Taking medications on time is very important for them to be effective in managing health conditions.
Seniors should take advice from their healthcare provider when choosing a medical alert system for themselves. A good alert system will help them take their prescription medicine on time and ensure that they do not mix multiple medicines or take the wrong dosage. Therefore, having a positive effect on their health and well-being.