Taking liquid medications

Taking liquid medications for low vision patients is often a challenge. There is the immediate problem of measuring the correct amount of medicine. Trying to pour the medicine into a measuring spoon almost always results in under-measuring or overfilling the measuring spoon. Yet, getting the correct amount of the liquid medication is essential for the patient's health. 

We suggest two different approaches to our patients depending on how much residual vision a patient has. Drugstores sell medication syringes that has the patient pull up a plunger so that the correct amount of the medication is drawn into the syringe barrel. The challenge is to be able to see the appropriate marking on the barrel and then drawing the plunger up to that precise spot to get the correct amount of the medicine. We suggest marking the syringe barrel, at the appropriate mark, using a piece of high contrast tape to make it easier to see. Then, we mark the plunger at the correct spot so that it was easy to see when to stop withdrawing the plunger.

Another approach might be used for a patient with less vision. The medication is first poured into a clean bowl with a cover. To obtain the correct dosage, the patient simply scoops up the medicine from the bowl using the appropriate measuring spoon. This method will ensure that the patient receives just the right amount of medicine.