Our solution for staying on top of my husband’s Parkinson’s medications

Some exciting changes have happened in terms of Parkinson’s medications since my husband, Arman, was diagnosed with the disease in 2009. At that time, options for long-acting or extended-release levodopa and carbidopa were limited. Over the past decade, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved several extended-release formulations of levodopa and carbidopa.

In addition to now taking several Parkinson’s medications, Arman also loves his vitamins. So when multiple medications and supplements are taken at various times throughout the day, it is essential to have an organized system in place to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

As Arman’s care partner, I’ve recently inherited the job of organizing his meds. Now that the type A, control freak (me) presides over the meds, we have a much better system in place. Not to pat myself on the back, but our new system rocks! I’m so excited about this that I wanted to share it with others who might benefit.

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We organize his medications every 14 days. We used to do it on Sunday afternoons to avoid disrupting the workweek, but somehow we got off track. We now do it midweek, setting aside at least an hour for the task. (It’s important not to rush it.)

Arman takes his medications four times during the day and once before bedtime. During the day, he likes to carry a small medicine container with him in case we leave the house or are traveling.

I conducted extensive research on the multitude of options for medication containers, and thankfully, an enormous selection of multiple sizes and options is available online. Our solution was to have a small, individual container for each day of the week, divided into four sections: morning (8 a.m.), midday (1 p.m.), late afternoon (6 p.m.), and bedtime (11 p.m.).

This has made our lives so much easier. Having each dose in its own separate, closed-off compartment means that he can dump out the meds into his hand instead of struggling to get his pills out and worrying that he might be taking the wrong dose or medication.

I also set alarms on my phone to remind us that it’s time for his medicine. These alerts are essential to maintaining a strict medication schedule. With Parkinson’s, it’s vital to take medication consistently to avoid major “on” or “off” periods.

I’m curious about how others organize Parkinson’s medication and reminders. If you’ve had success with a particular method, please share in the comments below. 

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.