Managing your healthcare, or the healthcare of your loved ones, can feel like a full-time job at times. Between remembering to schedule your appointments, asking the right questions, and remembering your doctor’s answers…to following up on test results and taking your medication…it’s a lot to manage.
With so much to keep track of, it can be difficult to remember to refill your prescriptions on time, so don’t beat yourself up. Instead, let’s bring awareness to what may be causing you to forget to refill your prescription, and map out some ways you can support yourself so that you aren’t missing out on your refills.
What might be stopping you from getting your prescription refill
There are lots of factors that could be contributing to you struggling to remember to refill your prescription, or forgetting it all together. Including…
Your busy schedule
Some seasons in life are busier than others. Between running errands, remembering playdates, swimming lessons, the school bake sale, work projects, family commitments and date nights…the list goes on and on…it can be challenging to remember everything on your to-do list. Especially those items on your to-do list that require more than one step. Like having to call your doctor or pharmacist about refilling your prescription, and then having to remember to go pick it up as well.
Your physical wellbeing
When you’re physically unwell, it can be difficult to make sure you are eating and drinking enough, let alone remember to do tedious tasks like refilling prescriptions. When you don’t feel physically well your body’s energy resources are often depleted as your body works to conserve energy and focus on healing. Meaning your ability to output decreases, and this can cause you to forget or feel unable to follow through with tasks on your to-do list.
Your mental and emotional capacity
There are many things that can contribute to a lowered mental and emotional capacity. Such as caring for a loved one, navigating your own health issues, and worrying about test results…all of these create additional stress which can lead to burnout and lessen your ability to complete basic tasks. When you experience higher levels of stress or feelings of burnout your body requires more rest, similar to when you are physically unwell, so that it can focus on recuperating and healing.
Ways to help you remember to refill your prescription
Whether you are experiencing a busy season in life right now, navigating your own healthcare issues, or caretaking for a loved one, there are lots of ways that you can support yourself so that you don’t forget to refill your prescription. These include…
Putting it on your calendar
When you pick up your prescription, put the date you need to refill by in your calendar. Or better yet, put a reminder to refill your prescription in your calendar before you are going to run out. For example, if your prescription is for 30 days, put it in your calendar 5 days before you are due to run out. By having it as a task or appointment in your calendar, this will help to minimize the risk of forgetting it, and won’t leave you feeling stressed on the final day when your prescription runs out.
Combining your errands
Attach picking up your prescription with another errand. Like going to the post office or getting groceries. This minimizes you having to motivate yourself to get up and out of the house to go pick up your prescription separately. Use the momentum you already have from being out and about running other errands to support you in getting this one ticked off your to-do list.
Calling in your prescription refill
Call in your prescription refill rather than just dropping by your pharmacy. By calling ahead you ensure that (1) they have your prescription in stock and will be able to refill it that day for you, and if not they will be able to give you a timeline of when it will be available. And (2) you won’t have to wait around at the pharmacy while they fill your prescription. This will make your outing more efficient and will help to make sure you aren’t wasting your time.
Having your prescription delivered
With modern technology these days, it is possible to have your prescription delivered right to your door. With some pharmacies you will be able to set this up directly with them, there are also a number of third party apps which you can arrange delivery through. This helps to remove one step in the process of refilling your prescription, now all you have to do is notify your doctor or pharmacist that you are in need of a refill.
Setting up an automatic refill
Some pharmacies will allow you to set up an automatic refill with your prescriptions. This allows you to set it and forget it. You no longer have to worry about remembering to call in your refill, instead your pharmacist will call you when your refill is ready to be picked up. Meaning all you have to do is go pick it up once it’s ready to go.
As you can see, there are lots of ways you can support yourself to remember to refill your prescription. It just takes some forethought and planning. Take note of your energy levels, it’s easier to take action on any of the ways listed above when you have the energy and capacity to do so.
Ask for help and allow yourself to be supported
If you find yourself unable to take the action to refill your prescription as needed, ask for help and allow yourself to receive support. Lean into your support system, whether that’s your partner, your family, or your friends. That could mean having someone else call in your refill to the pharmacy, or having a loved one pick up your prescription for you. Or even simply having someone help you get set up with your automatic refill or delivery of your medication. Remember, just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own – let yourself be supported during times of need.
Want more tips on how to manage yours and your families healthcare? Get on the waitlist for the Acensa app, a revolutionary health care management tool.