It’s a family caregiver’s job to ensure that the patient gets all the right medications, in the right doses, at the right times. Today, two BridgingApps team members share their thoughts on medication management.
So Much to Keep Up With
Cristen Reat, Program Director: I manage ten medications for my disabled adult son. “Keeping track” sounds so simple, but it is a huge responsibility! It means ensuring that refills are current and we don’t run out; following medication instructions carefully; adjusting dosage based on symptoms; and coordinating with multiple health providers.
Tara Rocha, Digital Learning Specialist: My father-in-law was with us before he moved to assisted living. We used pill boxes to organize his medications, and we’d have a nurse come and help us fill all those boxes. His VA benefits paid for that service: we couldn’t have done without it.
Everyone else in our family takes ADHD medication. My oldest daughter, who lives in another state, also has mental health issues requiring additional prescriptions. And she kept forgetting to take them. I helped her set reminder alarms on Health and other phone apps, but often she just swiped them off, thinking, “I’m busy, I’ll take it later.” Or, “I don’t really need it that much.”
There’s an App for That
The best assistive technology is useless when it sits ignored. Fortunately, the digital universe is big enough to provide good options for everyone. Even when they take a little persistence to find.
Cristen: There’s no “one size fits all”: what works for someone else might not work for your situation. I use several apps:
- One of our all-time favorites is Pillboxie. It allows multiple profiles for multiple patients, and it’s completely customizable and easy to use, with minimal setup. My favorite feature is the virtual pillbox where I can put pictures of actual medications. Especially when manufacturers change, a longtime medication sometimes arrives looking different from what you’re used to. I use Pillboxie to take exact pictures of pills so I don’t get confused.
- We use the Express Scripts app—our insurance covers it—for long-term medication supplies. I consult the app regularly to coordinate refill dates with healthcare providers.
- We also keep our son’s medication list updated in If I Need Help, a free web-based tool that connects emergency information to a QR code.
- I use the MyChart app at least weekly to communicate with healthcare providers about symptoms, refills, and medication questions. Using this app, rather than playing phone tag, has vastly improved response times.
Everyone also needs two basic types of tools, which come in multiple app options (and multiple in-real-life options as well):
- A calendar to keep track of appointments and refills. I put refill dates in my smartphone calendar, setting reminders to alert me a week before our supplies run out. This gives me time to reorder through Express Scripts, or to contact the provider for refill authorization.
- A notes system, to record observations on how a medication is affecting your loved one. Caregivers need to be ready to share information with healthcare providers, especially when the patient may not be completely capable of self-reporting.
Tara: I love pharmacy portals. I use the H-E-B app to pay for medications ahead of time, and Kelsey-Seybold’s MyKelsey app to order refills at the click of a button. (If the prescription is expired, I just go to the medications icon and ask for a renewal.) I can also set up automatic refills.
Another thing I like about digital pharmacy access is that you can check and compare prices. No more going in person to pharmacies, being blindsided by unexpected costs, and holding up the line asking questions of the pharmacist. With an app, I can price-shop and make decisions (this pharmacy or that one? Insurance or GoodRx coupon code?) without feeling rushed.
Closing Advice
Tara: We’re still looking for the system that works best for my daughter. One thing that’s helped some: I asked her, “I don’t want to nag, but I know that when you get off your medications that it turns into a problem for you. How can I support you in that?” She said that if I asked “When did you take your medications?” instead of “Did you take your medications?,” it would sound less like nagging to her. So, ask your loved one for suggestions.
Cristen: Ask healthcare providers for tips and resources. Make sure to set up a communication system (such as MyChart) to message nurses with questions and updates. Communication is everything!
See also: BridgingApps Medication Management Apps list