Medication management is an important role for many of us but often this can be difficult due to reduced strength, movement, sensory loss, or cognitive impairment. Our Therapists can support in finding equipment solutions or techniques to help manage medication and maintain independence as much as possible.
Medication packaging can be difficult to and fiddly to open and when you visit the Independent Living Centre you can try gadgets that will help you open plastic packaging, safety lids and even pop the pills out of blister packs! We can also show you a variety of medication storage containers, that open with flip-up, screw-top or sliding lids so you can find out what works best for you. If you are looking at alternative medication storage, it is recommended to talk to your local pharmacist to ensure medication can safely be stored alongside others. If you are concerned about medication safety at home, we can give you advice about safe storage and lockable safes.
Swallowing medication can be difficult and we can show you a pill-splitter that helps you split some tablets into a manageable size for swallowing. The flexi cup has soft sides to enable squashing into a funnel shape for a spill-free dose of medicine, and the cutaway rim fits around your nose to enable drinking without tipping your head back. We found the Spilly Spoon helpful as it holds liquid medication in the handle of the spoon to avoid spillage. We also like the Pilgo pill swallowing cup with a spout that holds the pill, so that when tipped you can take the tablet with a swallow of water at the same time, to ease it down. If you have any concerns about your swallowing or you are choking on medication, you should always seek further medical guidance from your doctor.
Applying creams and ointments can be tricky and it might be worth talking to your pharmacy to see if there are any spray-on alternatives. At the Centre, you can try a range of long-handled sponges and angled pads to see if they help you to manage those out of reach places.
Reminders are useful to ensure medication is taken on time. Reminders can range from a simple mobile phone apps that can send alarm reminders and detail medication that needs to be taken or some apps can be linked to family, friends, or carers to help manage compliance – see our apps for medication management guidance. We can also show you watches with built-in alerts and a range of automated pill storage devices, some with built-in alarms, some that open automatically at the right time and some which can be connected to a care alarm call centre or someone’s mobile phone to alert when tablets have not been dispensed. Reminder clocks and screens are also a great audible or visual aid to use during the day or night to help you take your medication on time and management daily activities.
See our ‘Technology for Medication Management‘ equipment advice for further information about assistive technology solutions to help with medication management.