Six simple ways to stick to your medication schedule
Having trouble sticking to a medication schedule? You’re not alone. These helpful tips can help keep you or a loved one on track.
With so many things to remember from day to day — birthdays, doctor appointments, bill due dates — it’s no wonder we sometimes slip up and forget to take our medicines. If you struggle to take your meds, it’s important to talk with your doctor. You can come up with solutions together. Here are
1. Do a medication review
Two-thirds of older adults rely on at least two prescription drugs, according to a 2020 poll done by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. And two out of 10 older adults regularly take at least five prescription meds.*
However, up to 60 percent of drugs prescribed to seniors may not be necessary, reports a different 2020 study published in the journal Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management.* That’s why it makes sense to talk to your primary care provider to find out whether you really need to keep taking all your current medications, or if something might have changed.
2. Ask about cheaper options
Just over 20 percent of Americans report that they haven’t taken a medication as prescribed at some point because of cost, according to a 2023 study published in JAMA Network Open.*
You can check the cost of your medicines in the Aetna® formulary, or drug list, at Aetna.com/medicare/prescription-drugs/check-medicare-drug-list.html.
In general, the lower the tier, the less you pay. Once you know the tier and price, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best, lowest-cost prescriptions for you — there may be a cheaper option in a different tier.
Also, if you are taking any of your medicines long term, ask your doctor about getting an up-to 100-day supply. This may help save you money as well as time, since you only refill your prescription once every three months.
3. Let your doctor know about side effects
Side effects, including headaches and nausea, can also keep people from taking their medicines.* If you’re having drug-related side effects, talk to your doctor. They may be able to change the dose or class of medications.
Get your medications delivered to you
Your plan offers mail order delivery services of eligible prescription drugs, including a long-term supply. Call Member Services at 1-866-409-1221 (TTY: 711).
4. Keep a medication chart
There are plenty of smartphone apps and gadgets that can help you remember to take your meds. But a simple medication chart tacked to your fridge often does the trick. Write down when to take each medicine (morning, afternoon or night), the dose, and a quick reason why you are taking it.
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5. Pick up a pill organizer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that you use an organizer for all your medicines. Some have sections for multiple doses at different times of day (such as morning or evening). Some even have timer functions, so they can remind you to take a dose.
It’s also a good idea to place your pill organizer in a visible spot to jog your memory when you see it. Think about timing, too. If you need to take a drug with food, place it on the dinner table. For pills you need to take in the morning, put them in the bathroom next to your toothbrush, or in the kitchen beside the coffee pot.
6. Choose the easiest form of medication
If taking pills isn’t your favorite thing to do, you’re not alone: More than 30 percent of all adults find it hard to swallow pills.* One trick is taking medications with applesauce or yogurt. The added texture can make it easier for you to swallow.
If that’s not working, ask your pharmacist or doctor if you can crush the pill or split it to make it smaller and easier to wash down. (It’s important to never crush a pill without asking your provider first. If the medication is extended release, you may get too much at once.)
Another option is to take a liquid version, if it's available. If they are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, you might try the children’s versions. Just be sure to talk about it with your pharmacist first so they can help you figure out the conversion dose.
Learn more about your medication coverage
To learn more about your prescription benefits, log in to your secure member website. You can visit this page at any time by typing in the URL or scanning the QR code on your member ID card. You can use your smartphone or tablet camera. Once there, you can see your plan information, prescription coverage, benefits and more.
*FOR TWO-THIRDS OF OLDER ADULTS TAKE TWO OR MORE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SOURCE: Coe A, Farris K, Malani P. Clashing medications can put older adults at risk, but many haven’t had a pharmacist check for safety concerns. University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. October 7, 2020. Accessed May 10, 2024.
*FOR 60 PERCENT OF DRUGS OLDER ADULTS TAKE ARE UNNECESSARY SOURCE: Rahman S, Singh K, Dhingra S, et al. The double burden of the COVID-19 pandemic and polypharmacy on geriatric population — public health implications. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management. October 20, 2020; 16: 1007-1022. Accessed May 10, 2024.
*FOR 20 PERCENT OF OLDER AMERICANS DON’T TAKE PRESCRIPTIONS AS DIRECTED SOURCE: Dusetzina SB, Besaw RJ, Whitmore CC, et al. Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence and Desire for Medication Cost Information Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older in the US in 2022. JAMA Network Open. May 18, 2023; 6(5). Accessed May 10, 2024.
*FOR SIDE EFFECTS CLAIM: Aremu TO, Oluwole OE, Adeyinka KO, et al. Medication Adherence and Compliance: Recipe for Improving Patient Outcomes. Pharmacy. August 28, 2022, 10(5), 106. Accessed May 10, 2024.
*FOR DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING PILLS SOURCE: Radhakrishnan C, Forough AS, Cichero, JAY, et al. A Difficult Pill to Swallow: An Investigation of the Factors Associated with Medication Swallowing Difficulties. Patient Preference and Adherence. January 11, 2021; 15: 29–40. Accessed May 10, 2024.
See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. This material is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Contact a health care professional with any questions or concerns about specific health care needs. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Aetna is not a provider of health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to our website. Participating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change. If your plan’s Extra Benefits Card includes roll-over, any unused amount will rollover into the next month. The monthly amount can be rolled over through the end of the plan year but will not carry over into the next plan year.
The formulary and/or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.
For mail-order, you can get prescription drugs shipped to your home through the network mail-order delivery program. Typically, mail-order drugs arrive within 10 days. You can call 1-866-409-1221 (TTY: 711) if you do not receive your mail-order drugs within this timeframe. Members may have the option to sign-up for automated mail-order delivery.
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