The simple habit helping the over-50s stay on top of their medication

Managing multiple medications doesn't have to mean a kitchen cupboard crammed with boxes. From setting reminders to using clearly labelled medication pouches, a few simple changes can make your daily routine easier to manage.

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Your 50s can be an exciting time, bringing more freedom, confidence and, hopefully, a better idea of what makes you feel your best.

But while we may still feel young at heart, health routines can become more complicated as we get older. You might be taking medication for more than one condition, alongside vitamins or supplements recommended by a healthcare professional.

Keeping track of it all can soon become confusing. There may be different tablets to take at different times, changing prescriptions and cupboards full of boxes, not to mention the extra faff of staying organised while travelling.

So, what can make it all a little easier?

Top tips for staying on top of your medication routine

Always take medication according to the instructions on your prescription. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before changing when or how you take it.

1. Create a numbered routine

A simple numbered routine can make multiple doses easier to follow and help reduce the risk of missing a dose or accidentally taking it twice.

For example, you could organise your medication as Dose 1 for the morning, Dose 2 for lunchtime and Dose 3 for the evening. It can also help to tie each dose to something you already do, such as after breakfast or before bed. Just make sure the routine matches the instructions provided by your GP or pharmacist.

2. Link medication to an existing habit

If you need to take medication at different points during the day, linking each dose to something you already do can make it easier to remember.

That might mean taking tablets with a particular meal, if the instructions allow, or setting a reminder for the same point in your morning or evening routine. Check the label or speak to your pharmacist, as some medicines need to be taken with food, on an empty stomach or at a particular time.

3. Use reminders or alarms

You can set reminders on your phone or smartwatch to prompt you when a dose is due. If you use a smart speaker, such as Alexa or Google Assistant, a voice reminder may suit you better.

It can also help to set a separate reminder for ordering your next prescription. After all, remembering every tablet is only useful if you haven’t run out of them.

4. Store medication safely in one place

Keeping medication together can make it easier to see what you have and when you’re running low.

Choose a safe, suitable place and follow any storage instructions on the packaging. Some medicines need to be kept cool or in their original containers. All medication should be kept out of the sight and reach of children and anyone who could take it accidentally.

5. Check repeat prescriptions before you run out

Don’t wait until you’ve taken the last tablet before ordering your next prescription. Set a reminder for when your supply is beginning to run low and allow time for your GP surgery and pharmacy to process the request.

6. Switch to a modern alternative to traditional pill trays

Instead of sorting tablets into a weekly organiser yourself, you could use a pharmacy service that supplies suitable medicines in individual pouches.

Each pouch is labelled with the date and time the medication should be taken. When your next dose is due, you tear off the relevant pouch rather than sorting through several packets and boxes.

Could pre-sorted medication pouches help?

If you find it difficult to keep track of several medications, pre-sorted pouches act as a modern-day alternative to traditional blister trays, making your routine much simpler to follow.

PillTime’s pouches are small, sealed packets containing your tablets or capsules prescribed for a particular time of day. Unlike a traditional pill organiser, which you need to fill yourself, the pouches arrive ready to use.

Each pouch is labelled with the date and time the dose should be taken, along with details of the medication inside. The pouches are prepared using automated technology and checked by PillTime’s pharmacy team before being sent out.

They’re also compact and lightweight, which may make them easier to travel with than several boxes and bottles.

How does PillTime pouching work?

PillTime is an online NHS pharmacy that sorts your prescription medication into labelled pouches and delivers it to your home.

To get started, you sign up via the website and nominate PillTime as your NHS pharmacy. PillTime recommends ordering your medication around 10 to 14 days before you need to start taking it, rather than waiting until your current supply has run out.

Once your GP has approved and issued the electronic prescription, PillTime’s pharmacy team dispenses the medication. Suitable tablets and capsules are sorted into separate pouches for each scheduled dose and checked before dispatch.

Each pouch is labelled with the date and time the medication should be taken. Your order is then delivered to your home via a tracked Royal Mail service.

The pocket-sized pouches can be placed in a bag or pocket when you’re out, provided the medication doesn’t have special storage requirements. At home, store them safely and follow the instructions supplied with your prescription.

There’s also a PillTime app, which you can use to request repeat prescriptions, receive ordering reminders and check delivery updates. You can also continue ordering through services such as the NHS App or your GP surgery’s usual system.
 

Which medicines can’t go into pouches?

Not every medicine is suitable for pouching. Items such as inhalers, creams, liquids, powders and some tablets - including large chewable tablets, dispersible tablets and tablets you take as and when you need them, such as painkillers - will continue to be supplied in their original packaging alongside your pouches.

Pouches may also not be right for you if you receive prescriptions every seven days, if your GP surgery issues paper-only prescriptions, or if your doses change frequently. Your GP or PillTime’s customer care team can help you work out if the service is right for you.

Is PillTime right for you?

PillTime won’t suit every medication routine. But if you take several regular tablets at set times, having them sorted into labelled pouches may cut down some of the daily admin.

Before switching, check that your GP uses electronic prescriptions and that your medication is suitable for pouching. You’ll also need to remember to order each prescription in good time.

PillTime’s customer service team is available Monday to Friday to explain how the service works and discuss whether your prescriptions are suitable.

Keeping on top of several medications can feel like one more job on an already long list. The right system won’t remove the need to order prescriptions or follow your medication instructions, but it can make the routine easier to manage.

Whether you use alarms, link doses to daily habits or try a pouching service such as PillTime, the important thing is to find an approach that works for you and your prescription.