If your parents don’t live with you, it can be hard to track their medication frequency, especially if both parents are on different schedules.
In many instances, they just forget or even retake the medicine if they can’t remember having done so.
At this point, you’re naturally worried about their health and the effects of skipping or doubling the dosage. So you set out to find a simple, easy-to-use system to remind them when it’s time to take their pills.
Luckily, there are many medication reminder products, apps, and services out there to make your and your parents’ lives easier.
Keep reading to learn more about the best medication reminders and how you can use them for your elderly parents.
Medication Reminder Phone Apps
Most elderly people are not very familiar with modern technology, so getting them to use a medication reminder app can be somewhat tricky.
The good news is – it’s not impossible. Nowadays, over 50% of senior citizens use some form of technology and are connected to the internet.
So, if your parents know how to use tablets or smartphones, you can download a meds reminder app and set it up for them.
Some of the best medicine reminders apps are:
- Medisafe
- MyMeds
- My Pillbox
- Dosecast
- CareZone
- MedicineList
The apps track the prescriptions, dosages, and refills, and you can set a few different alarms to ring as a reminder.
Medication Reminder Products and Services
If your parents don’t or can’t use smartphones or computers, your best bet are medication reminder products and services.
One example is getting an advanced, interactive pillbox that can hold an entire week’s or month’s worth of pills in separate compartments.
When it’s time for your parent to take their medication, the compartment will light up, buzz, or make a sound as a reminder. If it’s not opened on time, it’ll make a phone call to your parents or yourself until the task is completed.
But if your parents suffer from more serious conditions, consider hiring a home care service.
These services usually work around the clock and can send a caretaker whenever and for however long you need it. This way, you can be sure that your parents will take their medications on time and will be properly taken care of.
Home care services also work with elderly people with more challenging conditions like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Arthritis, depression and Parkinson’s.
Conclusion
As your parents age, their ability to take care of themselves decreases, mostly due to health issues. This is especially true if they take medications but forget, or are unable to move on their own.
At this point, you become more than just their child – you’re their caretaker. You want to give them the best care possible and make their life easier. Medication reminders in every form are one way to do so.
I’d love to help you take even better care of your elderly parents. Feel free to look around my website for more useful tips, or contact me today to learn more about my senior consulting services.
