Our solution for staying on top of my husband’s Parkinson’s medications
It's essential to have an organized system to keep things running smoothly
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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.
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.
Stefani Mihaylova
I use absolutely the same system - I prepare my medicines for 14 days, using the same type of pill containers and alarms on my phone. But I have two sets of containers with different colours. I use one colour for medicines and the other for the supplements because the supplements usually should be taken with food and for the medicines the schedule is different
Jamie Askari
Hi Stefani,
Its a great system, glad that it works well for you too! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Best,
Jamie
Gillian needham
Hi Jamie,
I use a fabulous app called medisafe. I am from New Zealand so not sure if this app works for you tho . I find it excellent. Regards Gilly
Jamie Askari
Hi Gilly,
Thanks for sharing that with me, and hopefully others will read about it too! I appreciate learning from others, and their experiences.
Best,
Jamie
Antonio Rangel Jr
I use the exact same pill box system except that I have two boxes and fill the empty one every week.
Jamie Askari
Great minds think alike!! Thanks for sharing :)
Best,
Jamie
Doug
Until recently we managed my WWP medication very similar to your method. That has changed since Parkinson’s Cognitive issues have become a significant part of our lives. A few weeks ago she became confused over what time it was and took her late afternoon dosage (at the correct time) AND her bedtime medications immediately afterwards. This effectively tripled her PD medication and moved her other medications 5 hours early.
A day or so later I walked into the room as she was picking up my chemotherapy tablets thinking she had to take one!
Now, all medication is stored out of her reach and I hand the ones she needs to her at the time she needs to take them.
Parkinson’s Cognitive Decline is, for us, the worst part of this disease!
Jamie Askari
Dear Doug,
I am sorry to hear about your recent struggles. It sounds like the adjustments that you have made are a great solution for you both. Thanks for sharing your story and for reading!
Best,
Jamie
Betty Crown
The telephone ringing to remind of time for meds works, if you stop what you are doing and immediately get the meds otherwise you may remember two hours later. Life is challenging.
Jamie Askari
Hi Betty,
That is so true, we would definately forget if not for the timer on our phones!
Thanks so much for reading!
Best,
Jamie
Sheila Smith
We switched from cell phone alarms to 3-hour timers in the same Google clock app. I set them on my phone as well as my husband's, because he frequently turns his off without following through to take the meds. I like the timer function because we use it so often throughout the day, I don't have to set up 8 differerent alarms -- we just click on the "run/play" button each time the timer expires. That way, I know it's been 3 hours since his last dose.
Jamie Askari
Hi Sheila!
I will look into that app, it sounds like a great solution! Thanks for the suggesstion, I hope that others read this as well.
Thank you for reading!
Best,
Jamie
Carey Hidaka
You may want to consider Amazon's Pillpack. It's a no charge service that works with your pharmacy to deliver individual packets of meds by your specific schedule. I've been using for over a year now and it's helped my meds organization...and frees up your 1 hour every week. You do need to keep track of your Rx changes and notify Pillpack. If you have lots of changes, it may not be a fit. I've had PD since 2012. I was taking up to 28 meds and vitamins per day over about 10 time periods, so it helped make a difference.
Jamie Askari
Hi Carey,
Thanks for that idea! I wonder if they have all medications like Crexont? We order from the mail-order to get 3 months at a time at a discounted rate. I really appreciate the suggesstion, and hope it can help others as well!
Thanks for reading!
Best,
Jamie
Thomas Rutschman
In Sweden you can sign up for the drug company to actually package the correct medication for each "meal".
Jamie Askari
That is fantastic! That would make it very easy.
Thank you for reading!
Best,
Jamie
Norma
I am the care partner for my husband, age 77, diagnosed with atypical Parkinsonism 3 years ago. I love the app on my phone, "Medisafe" that is a very effective medication reminder! It is very user friendly!
Jamie Askari
Hi Norma,
Thank you for that suggestion, I will check out that app. Glad it is working out so well. Thanks for reading!
Best,
Jamie