Transcript Script Your Future Take the Pledge. Take Your Meds A Campaign of the National Consumers League.

Script Your Future
Take the Pledge. Take Your Meds
A Campaign of the National Consumers League
What is Medication Adherence?
Taking your medication(s)
EXACTLY as directed by your
doctor, nurse, pharmacist or
other health care professional.
Are You Like Most People?
Why Is Adherence So Important?
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Fewer doctor visits
Fewer emergency room visits
Better quality of life
A longer and HEALTHIER life
Invest in YOURSELF, you are worth it!
How Can I Improve My Health with
Medication Adherence?
Figure out the main reason why you are
not taking your medicine
Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist or other
health care professional!
It begins with a
conversation…
Assess:
When you miss
your medication,
which one do you
miss and how often
do you miss it?
Engage:
Why do you miss
your medicine?
What makes it
difficult for you to
take your
medicine?
Resolve:
Based on the
reasons, find a
solution
Solutions: From Low Tech to High Tech
For this…
Forgetting to
take a dose
Try this..
A friendly reminder from a family member or
others, pill box, medication schedule/alarms,
calendar (paper, electronic, smart phone),
email reminders
Not convenient Time your doses with an activity, carry a supply
of medicines with you
Out of sight,
Place medicines where they might be seen
out of mind
easier: kitchen table, night stand
Running out of Request refills ahead of time, enroll in a automedicines
refill program
When the issue isn’t about forgetting…
I don’t know what
my medicine is for
I’m afraid to take
my medicine
because…
Do I have to take
this medicine
forever?
This medicine is
too expensive for
me
Can I take this
medicine with
others?
What will this
medicine do for
me?
This medicine is
too hard for me to
take
I don’t understand
how to take this
medicine
Don’t go it alone!
Ask your pharmacist, doctor or other
health care professional
Be informed
Get your questions together
Ask your questions and get
them answered
Tips
1. Don’t be shy. Ask your pharmacist about what kind of side
effects to expect, and how long they should last.
2. Doctor, Doctor! Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not
working for you.
3. No secrets. Always tell your doctor if you stop taking your
medication.
4. Portable health record. Keep an updated list of everything you
take. Share this with your doctor and pharmacist.
Know the Questions to Ask Doctor, Nurse or
Pharmacist
1. What is the name of my medicine and what does
it do?
2. How and when should I take my medicine and for
how long?
3. What if I miss a dose of my medicine?
4. Does my medicine have any side effects?
5. Is my medicine safe to take with other medicine or
vitamins
6. Can I stop taking my medicine if I feel better?
Tools
• Develop a schedule or system that fits your normal
routine
• Use a calendar
• Use daily or weekly pill boxes
• Use an alarm
• Ask family members to remind you
• Post reminder notes
• Sign up for automatic refills and reminder phone calls
• www.ScriptYourFuture.org provides tools and resources
to help you take your medicine—like text message
reminders
Visit www.scriptyourfuture.org
Take The Pledge. Take Your Meds.
Script Your Future Wallet Cards
I WILL Pledge
Script Your Future
• If you don’t take your medicine as
directed, you’re putting your health and
your future at risk.
• Talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or
other health care professional! They are
your most important partners.
• www.ScriptYourFuture.org provides tools
and resources to help you take your
medicine and take back your future.
Thank you!
www.scriptyourfuture.org