Jogging the memory

Here are some tips about how to remember to take Parkinson’s disease (PD) medications in the right way and at the right time!

• Make a written record of the medications you take (and have taken in the past), and the times at which you take them. A medication record – ready to be filled in with these details – can be printed from this website (see ‘Medication record’).
• In advance, prepare weekly tables with the names, doses and timing of medications – especially when the dose of medication is being changed (increased or decreased). This list can then be ticked as each dose is taken (the ‘Medication record’ can also be used for this purpose).
• Use a pill box with separate compartments to set out each day’s doses.
• If you are on a simple dosing schedule, e.g., one daily dose of a single medication, then set your watch or mobile phone alarm as a reminder to take your medication – if appropriate, ask your carer to do the same.
• If your treatment schedule is more complicated, set a timer as a reminder to take each dose of medication – some pharmacists sell timers especially for pill taking, including a wrist watch with an alarm that can be set to ring or vibrate up to ten times a day and which displays the medication required on its screen.
• If you have problems with vision, ask the pharmacist to prepare your medications with large-print labels.
• If you wish, ask a family member or close friend to accompany you to medical appointments. It can be useful for another person to listen to the doctor’s explanations and advice as, between both of you, more may be remembered afterwards! Ask for written information if you feel this is necessary.
• It is always helpful to learn as much as you can about the medications you are taking – ask your medical team or support group for all the information you need.