Many new year’s resolutions centre on building new health habits – exercise more, eat more whole foods, find time to meditate, breathe better. Sounds great, but building those habits is easier said than done. A recent poll suggests that only 6% of new year’s resolutions are still a success by the end of the year.
There’s one habit that can go a long way toward establishing better health, and that may stand a chance at becoming a successful new year’s resolution: remembering to take your medication. Taking your medication as prescribed is referred to as medication adherence. There are estimates that approximately 50% of medications aren’t taken as prescribed leading to a variety of negative health impacts.
Here are some ways you can work toward remembering to take your medications:
1. Consult with your pharmacist
Your pharmacist is there to help. Is there a reason you’re having trouble fitting your medications into your schedule? There may be modifications that a pharmacist can help with. For example, they may be able to suggest an alternate form of medication so they’re easier to take or travel with? They may also be able to adjust the dosage so you’re able to take medications less frequently. A compounding pharmacy can even have the ability to create customized solutions. Your pharmacist is there to help you problem solve.
2. Set a reminder
This one seems obvious in today’s tech-filled world. A simple daily reminder in your calendar could do the trick or if you need something more robust, there’s a variety of apps designed specifically for medication reminders.
3. Use a pill organizer
Remembering medications at different times of the day, or compiling pills from multiple bottles can be a barrier to taking them. Remove some of the mental load by filling a pill organizers by day or even time of day. This means your medications are easily accessible when you need them. There’s the added bonus that an empty compartment also confirms when you’ve already taken your medications (we’ve all had those moments). To go a step further, at Pace Pharmacy we can dispense pills in blister packs to save you the trouble of organizing on your own.
4. Use your daily routine
Try associating taking your medication with something you do every day. This could be brushing your teeth, eating breakfast or reading the news. When you pair it with an already established habit, you’re more likely to remember.
5. Enlist the help of family and friends
Sharing your medication adherence goal with someone you know can help you stay accountable and receive outside reminders. Many people enlist the help of a friend to start an exercise program, so this aspect of your health can be no different.
Each person is unique. If you need advice specific to you and your situation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our pharmacists.
Happy new year from all of us at Pace Pharmacy. May all your resolutions be a success!