Helping you take your medicines
Eye drops
Sometimes it can be difficult to coordinate movements when instilling eye drops - we have put together a summary of aids that you can consider using, please speak with your GP to discuss about them further.
Information about aids for eye drops provides pictures of the devices to help wtih aid selection.
Aids available on Prescription
Opticare Arthro® 5- For most 2.5ml & 5ml round bottles
Opticare Arthro® 10 – For most 10ml, 15ml, 20ml round bottles
- Ideal for those with severe arthritis or limited hand or shoulder movement.
- Positions over the eye for accurate application of drops. / Designed to make it easier to squeeze the bottle.
ComplEye® - For use with the HYLO® range of multi-dose eye drops, such as Hylo-Tears® and Hylo-Forte®
- Positions over the eye for accurate application of drops.
Alternatives not available on Prescription
Autodrop® - For all eye drop bottles.
Positions over the eye for accurate application of drops.
Autosqueeze® - For all eye drop bottles.
Designed to make it easier to squeeze the bottle.
Positions over the eye for accurate application of drops.
Published on 29th Sep 2024
Reminders and Dispensers
For patients who have difficulty remembering to take medicines :
- Medication reminder charts(Free / can be downloaded)
o Asthma UK has an easy read Medicines Card prompt for inhaler use, which can be downloaded for free via https://www.asthma.org.uk/ or ordered by calling 0300 222 5800.
o The British Heart Foundation has produced a personal record for patients with heart failure which includes a chart to record medications, which can be downloaded for free via https://www.bhf.org.uk/ or ordered by calling 0300 330 3311.
o The British Lung Foundation has produced a medication list template for patients with lung conditions to record medications. Can be downloaded for free via the https://www.blf.org.uk/ or ordered by calling 0300 003 0555.
o Macmillan cancer support has a medication planner chart available for patients with cancer to record medications. Can be downloaded for free via https://www.macmillan.org.uk/
For patients with swallowing difficulty :
- Pilgo Pill Swallowing cup - (Not available via GP NHS prescription) - Plastic cup designed to aid with swallowing tablets and capsules with a liquid. Has an internal rib structure which encourages a natural drinking position. Independence Ltd
For patients with manual dexterity issues :
- Multi Grip Safety Cap Pill Bottle Opener (Not available on NHS Prescription)– A practical opener for various bottles with safety caps. Developed so that the user can easily open bottles with a safety cap. Aids4Mobility
- Pill bottle openers (Not available on NHS Prescription)- Ergonomically designed pill bottle opener – ribbed inside to help grip the lid. May be helpful for people with weakened grip. May not be suitable for patients with latex allergies. Ability Superstores
- Inhaler aids - Device to place over pressurised (aerosol) inhalers to aid when strength in hands is impaired (e.g. in arthritis). Haleraid - For use with Flixotide®, Seretide®, Serevent®, and Ventolin® inhalers.Available free directly from manufacturers.
- Larger bottles and lids- These can improve grip for some patients. A pharmacist can advise on whether a medicine can be used out of its original container. From pharmacies upon request.
- Non-childproof medication lids - Can be used on medication bottles instead of the standard childproof lids. A pharmacist can supply these after providing guidance on storing medication out of reach of children.From pharmacies upon request.
- Pill Press (Not available on NHS Prescription)- Designed to help remove tablets and capsules from foil blister packaging. For people with Arthritis or muscular weakness in their hands or finger joints , visual impairment. Useful to anyone who finds handling small pills difficult. Talking Products.
- Medi-Popper (Not available on NHS Prescription)- Designed by a Parkinson’s sufferer to release tablets and capsules of any size from a foil blister. Independence Ltd
For patients with visual impairment :
- Large size labels - Community pharmacy dispensing systems can be used to create large text labels. From pharmacies upon request.
- X-PIL- Ensures that patient information leaflets (PILs) supplied with medicines are accessible to everyone, including those with sight problems. The patient can listen to and/or request patient information leaflets (PILs) in large/clear print, in Braille, on audio CD. The name of the medicine and the medicine's product code number are required for this service. The number for emc accessibility is: 0800 198 5000. X-PIL
- Magnifying Glasses (Not available on NHS prescription) - A collection of useful magnifiers to provide clarity and magnification for people with visual disabilities. Medimax
Published on 29th Sep 2024
Pill Organisers and Reminders
- Alarm devices(Not available via GP NHS prescription)
o Talking medication reminder keychain. Up to 5 alarms can be set. Talking Watch Shop
o Verbal medication reminder alarm. Up to 8 alarms can be set. Can also be used as an audio clock. Talking Watch Shop
o Tabtime Timer 8 Alarm. Up to 8 daily alarms can be set. Alarm is a bleep accompanied by red flashing light. Magnet on the back allows it to be put on a fridge or other magnetic surface. Tabtime Ltd
o Cadex medication reminder and medical alert watch. Watch with rubber strap and option for up to 12 audible alarms per day. Some models can display text when alarm sounds. Holds a database of medical and contact information. Can be converted to a pendant. LivingMadeEasy
o Programmable watch with vibrating alarm and memory. Up to 12 vibrating alarms and recordable scrollable text messages per day and periodic auto-repeat alarms for variable daily reminders including taking medication. Malem Medical Ltd
- Programmable voice reminder (Not available via GP NHS prescription)
o Mem-X Voice Reminder. Designed for people with some memory loss. Up to 90 x 10 second messages can be stored. At the alarm time the Mem-X will sound the alarm and the user pushes the blue button to play the pre-recorded message. Pivotell
- Medication organisers with alarm (Not available via GP NHS prescription)
o Tabtime Super 8 - 8 daily programmable audio and flashlight alarms and 8 detachable compartments. Useful for people who take medicines several times a day or to use for a day out/weekend away. Compartments may not be easy to open for some people.
o Tabtime 4 - 4 daily programmable audio and flashlight alarms and 4 detachable compartments. Useful for people who take medicines up to 4 x a day. Compartments may not be easy to open for some people.
o Med-alert pill organiser - Programmable alarm which can be configured to 4 intervals throughout the day. Separate compartments for each day of the week. Not suitable for more complex regimens.
These and other medication organisers and aids can be found at - Tabtime Ltd, Living Made Easy, CareCo
o Weekly pill organisers (not filled by pharmacy) (Not available via GP NHS prescription)
o Medidos pill organisers - Weekly pill organiser in a wallet form with 7 clear, marked and removable organisers with 4 compartments for each day whose size can be changed – opened with sliding lids. Single day sleeve and medication record card included. Weekend and maxi version available. Daily boxes can be liable to fall out. Sold by most pharmacies.
o PillMate Day Out – Small portable pill organiser with 4 marked compartments and flip open lid. Available in maxi size and compatible with PillMate wallet.Sold by most pharmacies.
o Pivotell Weekly Pill Organiser - Roller shutter system for ease of opening. Has 7 marked compartments split in 4 sections. Marked with days of the week and 4 daily doses. Card and tray included. Pivotell
These and other medication organisers and aids can be found at - Tabtime Ltd, Living Made Easy, CareCo, sold in pharmacies.
Published on 29th Sep 2024
Useful resources to support you in taking your medicines
Provide information and support regarding pill reminders and dispenses.
Set up by the DLF, the charity previously known as the Disabled Living Foundation. Since 1969 the DLF has been providing free impartial advice and information on solutions, gadgets, adaptations and aids to make life easier. Their mission to maximise person's lifestyle through practical advice. They offer advice to individuals, unpaid carers and those working in caring professions and service providers.
Their aim to help and assist customers and patients to find the best solution to their medication management products. They help find latest products to fulfil customer’s needs and if they cannot find what is needed then they help develop it.
Helping their clients regain their independence with life changing mobility aids.
Stock a huge variety of well-chosen products to bring greater independence and everyday enjoyment to patients and their carers. They offer help customers ‘live life to the full’.
Published on 29th Sep 2024