If you currently have prescribed medication, you are in good company. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, almost 46% of the US population uses prescription drugs on a monthly basis.
Although there is such a large influx of prescriptions, there is a sizable amount of patients who do not take their medication. According to a study conducted in The Permanent Journal, nearly 40% to 50% of patients are non-adherent to their medications.
Although there are those who don’t take medications as an active choice, many people become non-adherent entirely on accident. Forgetfulness and medication mismanagement are both common culprits for prescription non-adherence.
Luckily, one of the best ways to stay on top of prescriptions is to manage your medications: this is simply the practice of active and aware prescription taking. If you are looking to be better about being adherent to your prescription, here are three tips for managing your medications.
1. Enlist the Help of a Home Health Aide
Ask any home health care aide, and they will tell you: the best way to manage medications is with their help. A trained home health aide can work with you to create a doable medication schedule. Once developed, they will be there to help ensure that you stick with it.
2. Compile your Medications
One of the best ways to manage medications is to have an active log of all the prescriptions you currently have. Create a list to show the medications that you are currently on. Besides the name, this list should include frequency, potential side effects, dosages, and any other relevant personal information.
With all of this compiled in one place, you can give a copy to your registered nurse, primary care physician, and any other health care professional. Through doing this, you have effectively given your entire health care team a streamlined way to coordinate on medication.
3. Create a Dosage Schedule
If you are taking more than three prescriptions, it may behoove you to make a scheduled chart of the medications dosings. If you have already compiled a list that was previously mentioned, then you are already ahead of schedule.It helps to color code each medication, and leave room to check off if and when you take the prescription. This way, you can hold yourself accountable on busy days when your mind is otherwise occupied.
