If someone you care about is having difficulty with medication management, it can affect their health and quality of life. You—or someone else close to them—can step in to help, either by overseeing the situation or taking over managing their medications. We don’t recommend taking over medication management for someone who’s doing fine alone.

Here are issues you can look for to see if help is needed:

• Is your loved one forgetful or easily confused?
• Are pill bottles or blister packs difficult for them to open?
• Is your loved one able to read the labels?
• Can your loved one tell you what prescribed medications are for and how to take them? 
• How are medications stored? They should be orderly.
• Are any of the following in the home?
• Expired drugs
• Unopened pharmacy bags
• Plastic bags with assortments of mixed medications
• Numerous OTC medications and dietary supplements not recommended by a medical provider
• Duplicate medications
• Are health conditions under control?
  If conditions like diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and high blood pressure aren’t in check, it could be because their medications aren’t being taken as prescribed. The reasons for not taking medications can vary. For example, you may hear “I feel fine, so I don’t need to take these” or “It’s hard to remember to take them.” Or your loved one may be experiencing negative side effects.
• Are the same medications appearing in multiple forms?
  Acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) appears in many multi-ingredient medications, such as those for treating cold symptoms, migraines, or pain. Taking them along with plain acetaminophen tablets can be dangerous. 

Tips for offering to help

If your loved one needs help, it’s important for them to maintain a sense of control, as much as possible. Here are a few suggestions for how you can approach them about providing help:

• Try presenting your help as a way to take the task off your loved one’s plate, so they have room for other activities that are more enjoyable.
• Explain that having help can enhance their safety. If the wrong medication or the wrong dose is taken, or if several doses are missed, it could be dangerous. Adverse reactions can result in falls, confusion, or hospitalization.
• Bring their doctor into the discussion—especially if you encounter a lot of resistance from your loved one. Sometimes a suggestion is accepted more easily if it comes from a physician.
• Find out if your loved one’s health plan offers a medication management program.

Some people feel overwhelmed by being on so many medications, and they’re relieved to have help keeping them in order and taking them appropriately. Your loved one may feel that way, too, and be glad you brought up the topic.

Mojgan Haji, PharmD, BCGP, and Katherine Loomer, PharmD, BCACP, are clinical pharmacists. They manage Fallon Health’s pharmacy clinical programs.

This is the 1st post in a 3-part series on medication management.

• Read the 2nd post: How to help manage medication for your loved one
• Read the 3rd post: Ask doctors and pharmacists for medication management help

Originally posted: June 2018
Last updated: February 2025

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