Managing medications

Managing medication is a real challenge for patients. It is true that many pills look alike. In addition, the print on the labels is so tiny that it is impossible for low vision patients to read. We have found a number of strategies to be helpful. Marking tops of medication vials with a high contrast colors can make things easier. There also are special magnifiers that go around pill vials.  Another tool is special pill containers with raised, colored markings that helps keeps medications organized.  A medicine spoon with raised markings helps taking liquid medications easier. There even is a device that can be attached to a pill vial that can record the name of the medication.  It is always helpful to lay out the pills on to a dark cloth to make them easier to see and identify. Our final recommendation is to use good, direct light. Effective lighting, like a desk lamp, makes seeing the pills much easier.