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medication management

3 Common Medication Management Mistakes

If you or a loved one are taking multiple medications at one time, it’s important to adhere to proper medication management. Failing to do so could result in an unexpected negative reaction to a medication, or much worse. Many people currently in a situation where they’re managing medication don’t know that they’re making these common medication management mistakes.

 

Mistake #1: Not having a designated medication station.

It’s easy to get in the habit of keeping medications all over the house—next to your bed for nighttime medications and in the kitchen for morning medications—but when medications are stored in multiple locations, it’s easy to lose track of them. Designate an area in your house for a medication station. This should be a cool, dry place that’s safely away from children and pets.

 

Utilizing organizational tools, like weekly pill sorters, will help keep your medication station in working order. Clear plastic bins are also helpful to keep medications neat and orderly. Labeling them by the frequency of use or expiration date is also helpful.

 

Mistake #2: Not keeping a medication log.

Have you ever gone to the doctor and then suddenly forgotten what the side effects were that you wanted to address? It happens to the best of us. However, you could be losing out on important medical care if you’re not prepared. Keeping a medication log is a simple fix. Use a notebook to keep track of your medications, any side effects that may come up, or questions you have for your doctor. The trick is to write something down the moment you think of it. Consider keeping a couple notebooks around the house so you’re not traveling far.

 

Tip: Label your notes with the date and time so you can determine any patterns in your treatment.

 

Mistake #3: Not having a refill plan.

There’s no worse feeling than realizing you forgot to refill a prescription. A refill plan is crucial when managing multiple medications. This often involves leaning on a caretaker or someone who is helping you manage your medications. Many pharmacies offer an automatic refill option, which is a good idea for medications you take regularly. Know that some prescriptions expire and require a doctor visit in order to get a refill. As long as you have a refill plan, you won’t find yourself in a bind come refill time.

 

If your loved one is facing a serious chronic illness that requires proper medication management, contact our compassionate team today to learn how we can help. With five convenient Arizona locations, you won’t have to look far for a personal care manager. Contact us today at 480-563-2402.

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