It can be difficult to organise and keep track of medication, can’t it? Who hasn’t said at some point, “Did I take my tablets this morning?” With no way of knowing, you face a dilemma: do you take your medication, risking a double dose, or skip it and risk going unmedicated?
Neither is a good solution, as missing or doubling up on medication could be dangerous.
Organise Medication to Stay Safe
I’ve had this problem myself. I’m sure my husband got frustrated hearing me mumble that I wasn’t sure if I’d taken my tablets. He kept saying, “Liz, you need to get one of those pillboxes like your Dad has.” My Dad was in his eighties, and I thought I was too young to need one. But after too many mix-ups, I realised I did.
It has nothing to do with age — but it has everything to do with staying safe. Some medications can cause brain fog and memory issues, so it’s no surprise that mix-ups happen.
Safety should be a priority. Using a pill organiser box is sensible, practical, and can give peace of mind.
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How I Organise My Medication
I bought a weekly pill organiser from my local pharmacy and started using it. It made such a difference, but I hated having to do the refills every week. So, I bought two more boxes, allowing me to organise three weeks at a time. It’s one long job, but when it’s done, I don’t need to refill for another three weeks. I usually refill a few days early, just in case my pain flares up or I’m experiencing medication-induced brain fog. (Quick tip: never refill pill organisers when your brain fog is at its worst!)
I love having my medication safely tucked away in my boxes. If I ever have one of those moments where I think, “Did I or didn’t I take my meds?” I can just check the box. Plus, it means I don’t have to fiddle with pill bottles or those awkward blister packs four times a day.
The Type Of Medication Organisers I Use
Inside sturdy plastic boxes, there are individual containers for each day. This means that if I’m going out, I only need to take one small container rather than the whole box.
Each container has four compartments marked for morning, noon, evening, and bedtime. The compartments are a good size and easily hold several tablets.
It also means that if an emergency comes up and I need to go away for a few days, I can just grab my box rather than all my individual medication boxes.
Other Pill Boxes
There are lots of other pill organisers available. Some have just two compartments if you only take tablets twice a day. Others, similar to mine, come in a wallet style.
For those who want to be really organised, monthly pill organisers are also an option.
Important: Most medications can be stored in a pill box. However, some must stay in their original blister pack until use. Check the Patient Information Leaflet or ask your pharmacist.
Organising Medication so that it is Safe and Secure
If you have children or pets in your house, you need to ensure your medication is safely out of their reach. You might want to consider keeping your meds in a locked medical cabinet.
You also need to ensure your medication doesn’t get into the wrong hands. Sadly, some medication is sought after by criminals. We can’t allow ourselves to become paranoid about this, but we should look after our meds so that they are as secure as possible.
An easy way to do this is to have a small safe in your home. They aren’t too expensive and it will give you peace of mind. They normally come with bolts so that they can be secured to a wall or floor.
Most households won’t have any problems, but taking a few precautions can save a lot of worry.
Organising Medication – Extra Tips
Here are a few other helpful tips for organising your medication. (And please check out my other posts about managing medication and coping with side effects of medication)
Print Your Prescription List
- Print a copy of your meds, with the times you are supposed to take them, and stick it onto your pill box. This helps prevent confusion about what’s inside.
Set Alarms
- Use a clock, phone, or computer to set alarms as reminders to take your medication at the right time.
Going Out for the Day?
- Always take your meds with you. I normally take a little extra just in case I’m delayed getting home, as I don’t want to be caught out somewhere without my medication.
- A reusable water bottle with pill compartments can also be very handy when you’re out and about. You’ll always have water on hand when you need to take your meds.
Plan ahead and keep your medication close when you’re out.
Being prepared means less stress and no missed doses!
Going Abroad?
- Don’t organise your medication into your pillbox for a flight. Airport authorities need to see that the meds have been prescribed for you. Take a current prescription and keep the medication in the original pharmacy packaging showing your details.
- Some countries don’t allow certain medications, so always check government travel websites before you go.
Never Run Out of Medication
- Order repeat prescriptions on time so you don’t run out. If you’re going on holiday, consider ordering a bit earlier to ensure it arrives in time.
Blister Pack Problems
Do you ever have problems getting your meds out of those blister packs? I do. My fingers get sore popping the tablets out of the blister packs and I often get cuts from the foil.
My husband made me a little tool to pop the tablets out, and it’s really helpful. Before he made that, I looked online at pill poppers – they’re not too expensive. If you struggle with blister packs, it might be worth considering.
Organise Medication to Keep Them Safe and Secure
Meds only work effectively if taken as prescribed, and getting muddled with them is not only stressful but can also be dangerous. Organising them properly and keeping them safe will give you peace of mind.
***
Thank you so much for reading.
If this post resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
And feel free to share it with your friends or support groups.
Take care,
Liz.
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No more muddling meds
Aw that’s so cool for your hubby to make you a little tool to help get meds out of blister packs. Some can be pretty tricky, let alone the wear and tear to your hands after regularly doing it every day. I’ve broken a tablet or two trying to get them out sometimes.
You’re absolutely right about it not being about age (which is sadly what is often associated with pill boxes and such). It’s about being organised and safe and making sure you take what you need, when you need it. For meds that can’t go in a pill box, I have a Monday to Friday chart that I made for my dad and print it off for each week just so he can tick the odd days he needs to take those certain tablets. It’s just finding what works for you but it’s great there are different options out there with boxes and lists or setting alarms (another good idea).
Fab post, Liz, lots of handy suggestions! xx
Great advice! Pills holders are a great way to stay organized. Maybe i’ll get one one of these days.
I really need to start doing this, I am not good at it at all, thankfully I don’t take too many but I do still have moments where I forget to take them.