Do you need help remembering to take your medicine? Do you or a loved one struggle to keep the pill schedule straight? You’re far from alone. Public health researchers estimate that roughly half of people with chronic conditions don’t take their medications as prescribed, and forgetfulness is one of the most common reasons.
Fortunately, a variety of medicine organizers and technology tools can help. Before you choose one, consider the following:
- How much of a nudge you need. Do you just need your medicine gathered in one place? Scheduled reminders that point you to the pill box? Louder, harder-to-ignore alerts, safeguards that limit pill access, or remote monitoring by family?
- How many medications you take, and whether the pill compartments are big enough for them.
- Your comfort level with smartphones and other technology.
- Your lifestyle. Are you always on the go and in need of portable solutions, or more of a homebody?
- Who else is involved. Do you have a spouse, adult child, hired caregiver, or friend who can check in, or do you manage entirely on your own?
Non-Automated Pill Boxes
(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission that helps support this blog. Thank you!)
These simple pill cases come in many designs. Most offer compartments for morning and evening doses, and some accommodate three or more doses a day.
This type of pill box suits people who just need their pills organized in one easy-to-reach spot. You’ll rely on your own memory, or on a separate device, to take your medication on time.
Some practical tips when shopping:
- Check the lid and compartment size. Large pills and fish-oil capsules often won’t fit in small slots.
- Look for easy-open lids if you have arthritis or limited hand strength.
- Consider large-print day labels if reading small text is a challenge.
- Choose a travel case if you’re often away from home.
- Consider a locking or child-resistant model if grandchildren visit.
Tip: Refill the box at the same time each week, such as Sunday evening after dinner. Tying the refill to an existing routine makes it far more likely to stick.
Pharmacy-Filled Pill Packets
Pharmacy-prepared pill packaging is a rapidly growing part of the medicine-organizing market. Services such as PillPack, owned by Amazon, sort your pills into packets labeled by date and time of day and ship them to your door. Many local pharmacies offer a similar service, often called blister packs or multi-dose packaging.
This option removes the weekly sorting chore and reduces the chance of loading a compartment incorrectly. It can also simplify refills, since many services coordinate with your prescribers. Ask your pharmacist whether all of your medications (including over-the-counter ones and supplements) can be included, and whether the service is available in your area and covered by your insurance.
Medication Reminder Apps To Help You Take Your Medicine Properly
Non-automated pill boxes often work best when paired with a reminder app. Hundreds of apps exist, but here are a few that users and health professionals have rated well.
Medisafe (Apple App Store and Google Play)
- Handles even more complicated dosing schedules
- Set alarms and see what your pills look like.
- Let friends or family you choose the “Medfriends” feature to be notified if you haven’t taken a dose by a certain time.
- Get refill reminders.
- Receive alerts about possible interactions between your medicines.
MyTherapy (Apple App Store and Google Play)
- Offers many of the same alarm, refill, and accountability features as Medisafe.
- Lets you generate logs of when you took your medicine, along with health diary entries, to bring to your doctor.
Don’t want another app? Your phone’s built-in alarms, your smart speaker (for example, Alexa or Google Assistant routines), or a smartwatch with habit reminders can all do the job.
Automated Pill Dispensers And Remotely Managed Dispensers
Automated pill dispensers are especially helpful for older adults and for anyone taking several medications.
Devices such as the LiveFine Automatic Pill Dispenser (28-Day Electronic Medication Organizer) offer:
- Alarms built into the device, with adjustable volume, flashing lights, and in some cases vibration. You program the alarm schedule on the dispenser’s screen and you schedule easily more than A.M. and P.M. if needed.
- A motorized carousel that rotates to present each time slot’s pills, handling more than a handful of doses per day if needed.
- Strong latches and key discourage taking pills from any slot other than the current one. This is especially helpful for people with significant memory problems or who are easily confused. And WiFi allows others to remote in and check on medication dosing and whether pills have been taken on time (be sure to check WiFi requirements before purchasing if this feature is important to you.
Low-Tech Habits That Help
Pair your medication with a daily routine, such as brushing your teeth, making coffee, or eating breakfast. Researchers call this habit stacking.
- Keep your pill box or devices somewhere visible, but away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. A bathroom cabinet is often not ideal because of moisture.
- Use a simple paper checklist or calendar and tick off each dose.
- Ask your doctor whether your regimen can be simplified. Once-daily versions or combined pills can sometimes cut down the number of doses you need to remember.
- Plan for travel. Pack extra doses in your carry-on bag in case of delays, and keep medications in their original packaging when possible.
In-Home Caregiver With Aid of Medicine Dispensers
When devices and automatic reminders no longer provide enough support to keep you on a regular schedule, it’s time for a change. An in-home caregiver or a different living arrangement may be called for. A caregiver can work alongside a dispenser, handling the refills and the check-ins that technology can’t, and noticing changes in health or behavior that a device would miss.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time for this step, signs to watch for include repeatedly missed or doubled doses, confusion about which pills are which, and unexplained changes in health. A conversation with the person’s doctor is a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to remember to take medicine every day?
There’s no single best method. Many people do well by combining a simple pill organizer with a phone alarm or app and linking the dose to a daily habit, like breakfast. If that isn’t enough, an automated dispenser or a pharmacy-filled packet service adds more structure.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
It depends on the medication. Some can be taken as soon as you remember, while others should be skipped, and doubling up can be dangerous with certain drugs. Check the information that came with your prescription or ask your pharmacist or doctor. Don’t guess.
Are medication reminder apps safe and private?
Reputable apps explain how they store and share your data in their privacy policies. Read the policy before entering health information, use a strong password, and review which permissions the app asks for. Avoid sharing more than you’re comfortable with.
Are automated pill dispensers worth the cost?
They can be, especially for people taking multiple medications or who have memory problems, because they provide alarms, restrict access, and in some cases alert caregivers. Compare the up-front price with any monthly fees, and check whether your insurance, a Medicare Advantage plan, or a local aging services agency offers help with the cost.
Can a pill organizer help someone with dementia?
Often only partly. A locked, automated dispenser that releases one dose at a time is generally safer than an open weekly organizer, since it limits access to extra doses. As memory loss progresses, though, most people also need a caregiver to supervise. A doctor can advise on what is appropriate.
How do I choose between a pill box and a pharmacy pill packet?
A pill box is inexpensive and flexible, but you or a caregiver must fill it correctly. Pharmacy packets are filled for you and clearly labeled, but they may not cover every medication, and you have less flexibility if your doses change often. Ask your pharmacist what’s available.
Can I put all my pills, including supplements, in one organizer?
Many people do, but some medications shouldn’t be stored together or removed from their original containers because of moisture or light sensitivity. Ask your pharmacist whether any of yours need special storage.
How do I help a loved one who resists taking their medicine?
Start by finding out why. Side effects, cost, confusion, or a feeling of losing independence are common reasons. Involve the person in choosing a system, and bring concerns to their doctor, who may be able to adjust the medication or the schedule.
When should I get a caregiver involved?
If reminders and devices aren’t working, such as repeated missed doses, doubled doses, or signs of confusion, it’s time to talk with the person’s healthcare provider about additional support.
In Conclusion
Finding the right mix of medicine organizers, reminders, and a little human support can make all the difference in taking medication properly. Start with the simplest tool that fits your needs, and be willing to step up to something stronger if it isn’t working. And always review any changes to your medication routine with your doctor or pharmacist.
Click Here for Helpful Medication Savings Tips.
