Day-of-the-week pill dispensers can be helpful in assisting to manage your loved one’s medications. It is recommended that even in the early stages of the disease, that the care partner mange the dispensing of medications. However, even for the care partner, managing the medications along with all of the other daily responsibilities can be overwhelming. There are several things that can be done to ease the dispensing and tracking of medications:
- Have a day-of-the-week pill dispenser that has a.m./p.m. compartments. Ask the pharmacist to fill the dispenser with the medications. As the care partner, you encounter many distractions during the day, so having the pharmacist fill the dispenser can eliminate possible medication errors.
- If you choose to fill the medication dispensers, please do so at a quiet time when you can be focused and alert.
- Keep a daily log that’s checked off when medications are taken (See Medication Checklist)
- Make a record of when each medication should be filled. This helps in two ways: (1) get the prescription refilled prior to it running out; (2) helps you to track safe dosing.
- Take the pills to your loved one and watch them take the pills.