Especially elderly people with chronic diseases often have to take many different medications. This is often too much for them to cope with, as the guidelines for taking the medication are often too complicated. If it then comes to a change of the preparations or a change in the intake rhythm, most lose the overview.
Accumulation of incorrect medication intake
The topic “wrong taking of prescribed medicines” examined the “Infratest health research” in a study. And found out that 50 percent of all patients do not take the medicines prescribed by the doctor at all or not completely. 30 percent are used incorrectly, resulting in serious health consequences.
Even more shocking: up to 20 percent of hospital admissions are the result of taking the wrong medication! These results have been confirmed by studies in other countries. In addition, many people stop taking their medication without consulting their doctor because they are afraid of the side effects or because of specific complaints. Of course, this also has an economic impact: Medications that are taken incorrectly or not at all cause economic damage of 11 billion euros annually.
Medication cassettes – assistance especially for the elderly
An assistance are medicine cassettes. Especially when the medication fails because the intake is too complicated. Using these cassettes to presort medications helps older people in particular. They provide space for a week’s medication and are clearly divided into 7 days, each with 4 times for taking the medication. They are helpful in the following cases:
- When many different tablets are to be taken.
- If different times of taking (morning, noon, evening, night) are to be considered.
- If the intake rhythm is very different, tablets must be taken, for example, only every 3 days.
What to look for when buying?
Medicine cassettes should have large enough compartments, but still be small and light enough to take with you when traveling. A clear design makes it possible to determine at a glance what to take next. It is also practical if the tablet insert is easy to clean and replace. When using several cassettes, it is also advantageous if the models can be stacked and have a nameplate on the side. A good model is completed by a child safety lock that can be used if necessary.
