"Oops, I forgot my meds!"

If you're like me and millions of Americans today and you've tried pillboxes, checklists and calendars and still have the occasional head-slapping moment, here's some good news: a few new tools may be just the trick to help keep you on track with taking your medication and staying healthy. It's amazing how much better people do and feel when they are taking their medications regularly.

HAVE A SMART PHONE ?

DOWNLOAD AN APP. 

Lots of apps let you track the meds you take regularly -- the iPillsBox app doesn't cost  a dime! Or for $4 USD, you can download MedsLog, an app that let's you set an alarm to remind you to take your medicine, including Rx and over the counter pills, creams and ointments, plus there's no limit to how many drugs you can add ! It tracks when to take your next dose, stats such as blood pressure and blood sugar readings and let's you email data to yourself or your doctor.

YOU CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN YOU TOOK YOUR THE LAST DOSE?

TRY A CAP THAT REMINDS YOU!  

For about $3.50 you can swap a prescription bottle cap with the Rx Timer Cap. A digital built in timer resets when you open the botte, so you know exactly when you took your last dose and when the next one is due!

ON-THE-GO ALL THE TIME?

GET ORGANIZED WITH ALARMS!

There's now a wide range of alarms available to you remember your medications, even while you're out and about. Many come with a multipl compartments making it easy to keep them organized when you bring them from home to work and to school. Some can even be worn like beepers or wristwatches.

SJCCF TIP:  At the next doctors visit ask about streamlining!  

Be sure your primary healthcare provider knows about all the medications you've been prescribed. It's possible he may be able to make your regimen a bit easier -- for example, by changing several times a day dosing to once a day dosing or by combining medications.