Savvy Living

Can you recommend pill boxes and medication reminder devices? I started taking several new prescription medications, in addition to the vitamins I usually take. I need a pill box that helps me organize them. What can you tell me?

Pill boxes, or pill organizers, can play an important role in maintaining good health as they help you stay on top of your medication regimen. While there are many options, here are a few tips to help you choose.

Identify Your Needs

When choosing an appropriate pill box, ask yourself a few questions, such as:

• What is the number and size of pills you take? If you take only a few medications, a smaller pill box may be sufficient. If you are taking multiple medications and large vitamin supplements, you will want to get a large compartment pill box. Pill boxes often come with different color patterns, allowing users to assign specific colors to particular medications or times of day.
• Do you take your pills once a day or multiple times a day? If you take medications only once a day, a simple pill box with one compartment is practical. If you require medications multiple times a day, a pill box with multiple compartments for each day of the week will work best.
• Do you have trouble remembering to take your medications? Some organizers have built-in alarms and reminder features. Alternatively, there are free smartphone applications that can help set up a schedule for reminders.
• Do you have a difficult time opening your medication containers? There are easy-to-open pill boxes or automated medication dispensers that are ideal for those with dexterity challenges.
• Do you need a portable pill box for travel? Compact portable pill boxes are designed for travel, some of which include sealed cases that prevent moisture and dust from entering.

High-Tech Pill Organizers

If you need more help keeping up with your medication regimen, smart pill boxes will organize your pills, remind you to take them, track your progress and text or email caregivers if the pills are not taken. If you need additional help, consider an automated medication dispenser which is comprehensive, Wi-Fi connected and app-based that reminds you when to take your pills and dispenses them to you. Search for these pill boxes online using key words like “smart pill box.”

Medication Reminding Apps

If you are interested in a medication reminder app, there are free apps that you can download in the Apple or Google Play app stores that will send you timely notifications to take your pills and reminders to refill your prescriptions. A simple solution is to create a daily alarm in the clock app with a reminder to take medications.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.