Medications should be taken consistently to get their maximum effect. When the intake becomes irregular, the drug might not work as effectively. Medication discrepancy is one of the biggest opponents of good health. When people fail to take their medicine as prescribed, the chances of managing their conditions well also decrease.
Diabetes is one example of a condition that requires consistent management through taking diabetes medications. Doing this helps the person enjoy life in a typical fashion and with a reduced risk of complications.
If you are senior suffering from diabetes and medication discrepancy, here are some tips that could help improve your situation:
1. Create a Medication Schedule You Can Easily Refer To
The best way to not forget all the medications and supplements you need to take is to have a list that would allow you to have a general view of your intake schedule. List all the medicines you must take and when you should take them in an accessible and easy-to-understand and remember format. That would serve as an easy reference for you.
It can also help your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you consult with multiple doctors (cardiologist, primary care, rheumatologist, and so on). They might have made duplication with their prescriptions and might not know it. This simple gesture would help them oversee your intake and make the necessary adjustments if mistakes indeed exist.
2. Understand the Need for Each
Taking your medicines as scheduled would be easier once you understand their purpose. How will that medicine help improve your health? How many times a day should you drink it to perform its full effect? What are the side effects you should expect when you take them, and if you choose not to? If you must, you can also list the details down. A comprehensive reference can help you feel much better about the process.
3. Ask for Alternatives
If swallowing pills or opening bottles is something you can no longer do, you can always ask your doctor for a more manageable prescription. Work with your doctor in figuring out the best alternatives for you if that is the only way to ensure you take your medicines as needed.
If you prefer taking a bigger dosage with less frequency than a smaller dosage multiple times a day, seek your doctor’s approval. Remember that you can always request adjustments that fit your schedule, capacity, and comfort level better.
4. Set Reminders
Do what you can to complete your medications on time. If you must label your medications, do so. If you need to set alarms on your phone or use an app, then be it. You can even purchase smart pill management organizers to help you remember which one to take and when.
5. Continue Until You See Improvement
Unfortunately, some people with diabetes choose to stop their medication not because they forget or are too lazy to do it. Some want to stay in good health but do not have the funds to sustain their maintenance. Sadly, insurance providers limit the coverage they offer when it comes to maintenance provision. Still, you can only expect the full effect of the medications if you can finish the dosage advised by your doctor.
If this is the case for you, here are some methods you can explore:
- Request for generic medications or more affordable options from your doctor or pharmacist.
- Not all pharmacies offer the same price for a medication. Find which one provides the drug at the lowest price possible.
- When getting Medicare drug coverage, enroll in Medicare Part D, which covers medications and insulins.
Conclusion
If you fail to take your prescription as advised, examine your situation and see where the real problem is coming from. It could be due to concerns such as too many prescriptions, failing to remember the time of intake, or not having the means to purchase medication. Find a way to address the issue and keep your eyes on your goal.
Should you need the best home health to assist you with your daily needs, Bridge Home Health & Hospice can help. We are committed to providing the highest quality home-based patient care to promote and improve patient understanding of disease management. Contact us at (800) 476-0043 to learn more about our programs.
