Looking after yourself
Contents
Medication
While taking medication is a necessary part of many people’s lives, it’s often easy to get distracted and forget to take them.
Not only can this have an effect on the condition you are taking them for, but it can also lead to or cause other issues, such as increasing the risk of a fall.
To help you to take your medication and remember what you need to take and when:
- keep a diary or planner and tick off each dose as you take it
- set your clock or mobile alarm to remind you
- put your medication in a place that is part of your daily routine, such as next to your breakfast things, on your dining table or eating tray
Support taking your medication
If you are having trouble taking your medication, there are places you can go for help.
Your GP can:
- review your medicines and make sure they are still suitable for your needs
- provide other forms of the medication, for instance capsules or liquid that are easier to take
- refer you to the district nurses or community health visitors, so they can review your needs and provide you with support
Your pharmacist can:
- look at the options for prescribing your medication - for example, they could make sure any pill sachets show the days of the week (where available)
- suggest equipment to help you take your medication, such as a dosette box - this is a plastic container marked with days of the week and times (by transferring your medication to this, you can easily see when you need to take you medication and if you have forgotten)
Your pharmacist may also offer a collection and delivery service for prescriptions, if you can't do this yourself.
Aids and equipment
A range of equipment is available to buy from pharmacists, supermarkets and online retailers to help you take medication.
This includes:
- dosette boxes with alarms
- special containers that are easier to open
Last updated 13 November 2023