How to Remember to Take Your Medications

It seems simple: the doctor prescribes you medication, you take it as directed. We all know we should do it but sometimes our busy, messy lives can get in the way. There might also be other obstacles, like not fully understanding the directions or struggling to afford medications. But don’t worry—there are strategies to help you stay on track. 

Why it’s important to stick to your treatment plan  

Not taking medications as prescribed is pretty common. About 40-50% of people don’t stick to their treatment plans, especially if people have long-term health problems with which they routinely have to take medications, like diabetes or high blood pressure. People with chronic conditions may stop taking medications as prescribed because of cost, not liking the side effects or the complexity of having to take multiple medications at different times. Also, people stop taking medications if they start to see results or don’t see enough results and want to quit. If medication cost is an issue, discover how you can save on Medicare Part D prescriptions.    

But not taking your medication as prescribed can put your health at serious risk. It can lead to your condition getting worse, increase the time it takes to feel better and cause serious side effects. Continuing to not take your medication can lead to hospitalization and even death. Not taking medications as prescribed causes at least 125,000 preventable deaths and $100 billion in extra medical costs each year. 

People who take their medication correctly at least 80% of the time have the best treatment outcomes. Discover how you can make it easy to take your medication with these top tips.  

Make your medications easy to access 

Improve your medication adherence by keeping your pills in sight. Put them where you can easily see them, like on your bedside table or next to your toothbrush. When your pills are in plain sight, you're more likely to remember them as part of your daily routine. 

Pair taking your medication with an existing habit 

One of the best ways to create new habits is by combining them with things you already do. For instance, if you have to take medication in the morning, take it when you brush your teeth or during your breakfast. Set the pattern every day: I’m brushing my teeth, so now it’s time to take my pill. I’m eating breakfast, it’s time to take my pill. This makes it easier to remember and incorporate into your daily life without a lot of extra effort.  

Use a pill dispenser  

Our memory isn’t always foolproof; just ask anyone who’s walked into a room and then immediately forgotten why they went in there in the first place. It's easy to lose track of time, especially if the hours and days blend together. You might wonder, "Did I take my medication today or was it yesterday?"  

Get a pill dispenser to help take the guesswork out of it. Buy a pill organizer; they come in all shapes and sizes to fit your needs and budget. Fill it up at the start of each week, sorting your meds into daily slots. You can also get a digital pill dispenser that has a reminder when it’s time to take your pills. Can't remember if you've taken your meds? Just take a look at the day’s compartment to see if the pills are still there.  

Use a daily calendar or day planner  

Another easy way to keep track of your medications is to use a calendar or daily planner. Just cross out or make a check each day after you’ve taken your meds. Keep your calendar or planner next to your pills to make it easy to check off every day.  

Set a reminder on your phone  

If you have a smartphone, there are several ways you can set a daily reminder to take your pills.  

1. Use the voice command to set a daily reminder. For example, on your phone touch the phone button and say, “Hey Google, set a daily reminder at 3 pm for me to take my pills.”  

2. Set an alarm with your clock app. Go to your Clock app and hit the + button at the top to add an alarm. Choose the time you want and click Repeat. There, you can put a check next to the days you want the alarm to go off. 

3. Create a calendar reminder. Go to the calendar app on your phone, which is the icon that has the date on it. Click the + button at the top of the screen. Add a title, like Take my pills, and choose a time for this reminder. Go to Repeat, choose Every Day and you have set a calendar reminder to take your pills.  

Use digital tools 

You can also use other digital tools. There are a number of apps designed to remind you to take your medication, including Medisafe, CareZone and GrooveHealth. Depending on the app, you can get reminders to take your medication, refill reminders, drug-interaction warnings and features that help caregivers manage prescriptions for their loved ones.  

If you have an Alexa or other voice-assist device in your house, ask it to remind you at a specific time every day to take your pills. For example, call on Alexa and say, “Remind me to take my pills every day at 2 pm.” 

Stick with it 

One of the biggest challenges is sticking to your treatment once you start to feel better. Your medication is working, so you feel like you don’t need it anymore. This can make it tempting to quit medication early, but this can often lead to setbacks. Your treatment plan is designed for long-term health, not a quick fix.  

Get an accountability buddy  

Sometimes the best way to remember to take your medications is to have an accountability partner. One study found that you have a 65% chance of completing a goal if you tell someone else you’re committed to doing it. And if you have specific check-ins with a partner, your chance of success increases to 95%. 

Finding someone to help keep you on track can make a big difference. Ask a member of your household, a family member, caregiver or friend to keep you accountable.  

Get coordinated professional support 

Getting help from a healthcare professional is another great way to stick to taking your meds. ilumed has a variety of care professionals to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. ilumed’s care/disease managers provide support, like coming up with a medication and treatment plan, as well as helping you make lifestyle adjustments. Your care manager can check in to help you stick to your plan and resolve any issues you might have.   

At ilumed, we have a team of integrated healthcare providers to develop and maintain a treatment strategy that works for you. We're here to help you unlock your full health potential, providing the extra support and care you need.  

Your ilumed primary care provider can provide a medication review, to check that you’re taking the right medications and see if anything should be added or removed. Your ilumed’s member outreach specialist can make it easy for you to get to your provider by scheduling the appointment and finding you round-trip transportation to and from the doctor.  

If you’re having issues paying for medications, your ilumed social worker can connect you with programs and community services that can help. Along with programs that address food insecurity, housing issues, loneliness and more.  

ilumed can provide the help you need  

ilumed is your personal health ally. We’re here to help you navigate medication management, explore treatment options and help with any lifestyle changes. With our knowledge and expertise by your side, your path to better health becomes clearer and easier to follow.  

Learn more about how a care team can help improve your health and life. Or check out our other resources to find even more healthy living tips. Contact us today to discover how ilumed can help you.