How Caregivers Can Help with Medication Compliance

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Strategies for helping people with bipolar disorder manage their medications and maintain medication compliance.

Many people with bipolar disorder take multiple medications. Managing these medications can be a challenge for caregivers and the person who is taking them. A few simple strategies can make this important task manageable.

Many medical professionals use a concept known as The Five Rights which may also help you as you develop a system to ensure that medications are used correctly.

The Five Rights

• Right drug ~ Always carefully read the labels, many drugs have names which are very similar. Also, if a drug looks different than previously, don't hesitate to call the pharmacist to ensure that the correct drug was dispensed.
• Right person ~ Read the label for your care receiver's name, don't assume that you have the right bottle as another family member could be on the same medication, but a different strength
• Right dose ~ Don't give medication doses "by memory." The dose may have changed. Read the label!
• Right time ~ Although with many medications, there is generally a "two hour window," try to stay as close as possible to the scheduled dosage times. (this means that if a medication is scheduled to be given at 1:00 pm, it may be given at any time from 12:00 PM (noon) to 2:00 PM or an hour before to an hour after the scheduled time. Thus, some medications may be "grouped," and given at the same time. However care must be taken to avoid giving drugs together which are incompatible, would cause adverse side effects, or decrease their effects, if given at the same time or too close together.)
• Right route ~ of administration (oral, injection, etc). Again, read the label. An oral medication administered as an injection can have fatal (not to mention painful) consequences.

Many people have more than one doctor and may take medications that could possibly interact with each other and create a serious health risk (this is known as polypharmacy). It is vital that each health care provider is aware of what the person is taking, including over the counter remedies, vitamins, and herbal preparation.

If you accompany an older adult or someone who is unstable to a physician's office and do not believe that the person understands what the medication is and why it is important, encourage them to ask the physician for a complete explanation.

Medication Compliance

Medication compliance means taking medications as prescribed. Although medications have improved the overall quality of life for people with bipolar disorder, many people resist taking a variety of medications several times a day. People find the medication schedules confusing; they forget what they have taken; people start feeling better and stop taking the medication; or they do not feel that they can afford medications.

A common problem with medication is that the person does not clearly understand what the medication will do for them. The person needs to understand what the medication is and why it is important to take it. "Because the doctor says so" is not enough of an explanation.

Taking medications

• Keep medications visible.
• Make sure a readable clock is visible.
• Post reminders, if necessary.
• Draw a large clock and put color codes on it, if necessary.

To encourage medication compliance explain why the medication is necessary (people are more apt to do what is requested of them when they are given the reason for the request).

Managing Medications is a critical aspect of effectively treating chronic illness. A few simple techniques ensure that storing and taking medications are manageable.