Difficulties in locating and / or getting medication out of their packets

The below information is provided by the NHS and also Think, Involve, Promote, Sensory. 

Struggling to manage medication as a result of a visual impairment? 

This series of factsheets starts by exploring simple strategies to try and make the most of one’s remaining sight and applying these strategies to managing medication. Remember the following three principles: 

"Bigger, brighter, bolder." 

The second factsheet in this series considers possible strategies that may help with administering your medication. 

Difficulties in getting medication out of their packets and / or locating medication if it's dropped. 

Use a contrasting plain dark tray or large deep container to catch the medication if it is dropped.  A dark tray or container will provide contrast as most tablets are light coloured possibly making the tablets easier to see.  A plain container will reduce any visual confusion and again possibly make the tablets easier to see.

Try completing this task in daylight by the window on a worktop or under a task light, does the light from a daylight bulb help over that from a more traditional light bulb?

Consider gadgets like pill poppers / pill punchers which are widely available at a low cost, online or from various disability shops.  These are designed to make it easier to get tablets out of its blister pack, there are different designs but some have built containers or tubes to catch or direct the tablets.

Consider whether organisation of medication into a large pill box on a weekly basis will assist, not only with administering but also identification. 

See factsheet on blister backs for more information, advice and guidance. 

Difficulties in remembering to take your medication and difficulties in accessing visual reminders / prompts

If you have a smartphone or smart speaker, consider setting an alarm or reminder.

Consider whether a talking medication reminder would assist. There are various designs on the market from various retailers. These range from stand-alone talking medication key chains, talking medication reminders and clock combination with or without a pill organiser to automatic pill dispensers. 

Contact us

We appreciate that there is a lot of information within this factsheet.  If you would like to discuss your specific difficulties in further detail, please contact Staffordshire Cares on 0300 111 8010.