If your senior parent takes an important medication or has several prescriptions to keep track of, there are a few things you can do to help them stay organized after a trip to the pharmacy. Helping them develop an easy-to-remember management plan will ensure that they take their pills at the right time and according to their doctor’s orders. Starting a program is simple, and you can use the helpful tips below.

How to Help a Senior Parent Manage Medications

1. Review & Share Medication Instructions

Some medications need to be taken with food or at specific times to avoid side effects. Create a list with all of this information for your loved one. Explain which medications should be taken with food to prevent nausea, which to take early or late, and which ones cannot be mixed. Taking aspirin with insulin, for example, may lead to dizziness or a drop in blood pressure.

Also, list how medications should be administered. Some may need to be crushed, applied to the skin, or injected. These instructions further ensure there are no unwanted side effects and that the medication is effective.

2. Pre-Sort Medication in a Pill Organizer

A pill organizer keeps all of your loved one’s medication organized in a handy device. Fill each slot with the pills that your parent is supposed to take that day. This will help seniors remember what pills they need to take each day and whether or not they’ve already taken them.

Some organizers have multiple compartments for each day, so you can arrange pills by what time they need to be taken. Purchase a container at the pharmacy and fill it at the beginning of each week so your loved one is prepared.

3. Add Medication to Routines

It’s easier for a senior to remember to take their medication when it’s part of a daily routine. For example, suggest that your parent take their high blood pressure medication when they dress for bed at night. Recommend injecting insulin when they set the table for lunch or taking morning supplements before brushing their teeth. Taking their pills will be associated with their daily habits until it becomes second nature.

If you’re looking for a reliable pharmacy in the Columbia, MD, area, contact Columbia Hickory Pharmacy. These professionals pride themselves on timely medication refills and educating customers about their prescriptions. Visit the website to order refills or call (410) 964-6409 to speak with a pharmacist.