5 ways to make your patient take their medicine

Do you find yourself struggling to make your patient take their medicine? If yes, you are not alone. Many caregivers struggle sometimes struggle with this problem. Getting your patient to take their medicine is not an easy task, especially if you are dealing with kids or the elderly. According to the FDA, prescribed medication is not taken 50% of the time.   They would do anything just to avoid tasting that not-so-tasty medicine. Making a simple task challenging for many caregivers. In order for you to know how to deal with a patient who is not very fond of medication, you must first know what makes them not want it. 

Here’s 3 possible reasons on some patients refuse to take their medicine:

1. Fear

   Patients, especially the young and the old ones, sometimes don't understand why they have to take a certain medicine. This leads to them being reluctant to take it. They can also fear the side-effects that follows their medication. Side-effects are very unpleasant sometimes. 

2. Disgust

   Admit it, at least one time in your life there’s a medicine you’ve taken that you absolutely hate the taste. This is most common to kids. 

3. Depression

   symptoms of depression include feeling of sadness, emptiness, and the loss of interest to normal activities. Feelings of depression can unmotivate the patient to take their medicine. 

With these three reasons identified, Here are 5 ways or tips to get someone to take their medicine:

Talk to them and find out what’s wrong

You can’t solve a problem if you don’t exactly know what is causing it. Patients may be hesitant to take their medication for a variety of reasons, such as fear of side effects or concerns about cost. By talking to your patient with an open mind, you would know what the root of the problem is. Then you can start planning on your approach to make them take their medicine. Talk to them in a kind and friendly manner, let them know that you understand them and that you want to help. 

Ease the Taste

Taste and texture is one of the most common medication complaints of patients. If that is the problem, here's what you can do. If the medicine can’t be taken on an empty stomach, make sure to have food that you know the patient wants to motivate them to take their medicine. If possible, you can mix it with the food by placing it inside smaller pieces and eating it together. You can also give them a glass with their favorite beverage. 

Keep a “Medicine Calendar”

Many patients forget to take their medication at the correct times, especially if they are taking multiple medications. Keeping tabs of the medicine that you are taking, and when you will take them is a great way to add them to your daily routine, this can also be done with your patients. Create their own personal medicine calendar. Let them know when they should take this specific medicine and let them mark the calendar when they have taken it. This will give them a sense of familiarity and routine. They know when to anticipate their medication, and could prepare themselves for it.

Example of a medicine calendar

Ease side-effects

Side effects in medicine are sometimes inevitable, and it is unpleasant for patients. Many side effects include drowsiness, headaches, body pain, constipation, insomnia, etc.. Talk to your patient and identify what side-effects they are experiencing and how it affects them. If their symptoms continue to persist and affect their daily life negatively, you can mention it to their doctor or pharmacist. It is important to know also how to help them ease the side effects and help them feel better 

Provide Education

We do not want to intake any substance that we have no knowledge about. Educating your patient about the benefits of their medicine and what it does to their body can give them more understanding of why they are taking it. Do this in a simple and understandable way, no need to dig in with the scientific facts. Just simply let them know what problem they have, and what the medication does to help treat that problem. 

In summary, getting a patient who refuses to take their medication is a challenge, but it is not impossible to do. A good understanding and knowledge about your patient and what’s preventing them from taking their medicine is important to devise a plan for them. Be patient with them, through consistency and effective planning you would eventually reach your goal, and be able to give your patients their medicine without any hassle. Let them know its importance, and you are always there to help them and guide them. 

If you are struggling to get a patient to take their medicine, try doing the mentioned tips and ways. If you need more tips and help regarding how to become a better caregiver, or if you have any concern contact Ca Care Association and become a member of our community!

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