Many of us end up needing medication to stay healthy. Sometimes, though, keeping track of whether we have taken our pills for the day can be a challenge. We may have a busy schedule, or our memory may not be as good as it once was. This is where using a dosette box may come in handy.
Also known as pill organisers, pillcases, or pill boxes, a dosette box is typically a small box split into compartments. It is used for storing medication, usually splitting it into daily doses. In some cases, there may be further compartments for different times in a day. Generally, you will fill the box with a week of medication. Each day will be labelled to help you keep track of your medication.
Dosette boxes can be a great investment. Not only do they keep your medication neat and tidy, but they also work as a useful visual reminder. If your memory is not as good as it used to be, you may forget that you already took your medication. This could result in an overdose. With a dosette box you can physically see if there is still medication in the container.
If there is, then you have not yet taken your medication. If the compartment is empty, then you have. As well as making sure you have taken your pills, a dosette box is also a great way of knowing how much medication you have left. Refilling your dosette box allows you to ensure you have enough pills for another week.
When you only take your pills daily, you might not notice until it is too late that you lack enough medication to get through the week. A dosette box may make it easier to know when it is time to order your prescription.
Most dosette boxes are split into days. Some are further split into times, such as morning, midday, and evening. To use the box, you simply open each compartment and place the medication for the day and time within it. Repeat this with every compartment.
When the time comes to take your medication, it is simple enough to pop open the compartments again. An empty compartment is your sign that you have already taken your medication for the day.
At the end of every week, you can refill your dosette box again. This is the most effective way of using the box. Refilling daily may result in some confusion; you may lose track of whether you took your medication before refilling the box.
It is recommended that you inform your doctor if you choose to use a dosette box. They may decide to adjust your dosage.
Though all dosette boxes fulfil the same purpose, they exist in a few forms. As aforementioned, some boxes are split into days. Others are further split into parts of the day. These variations are ideal for if you have multiple forms of medication you need to take at different times of day.
Dosette boxes also come in different shapes, which can be very useful for space saving. You might find that a rectangular box fits nicely in a cupboard. A circular box might be well-suited to a bedside table. Some dosette boxes come in a cylindrical case with removable compartments. These can be neatly nestled in your kitchen.
There are even electronic dosette boxes that act as automatic dispensers. When it comes time to take your medication, these boxes will alert you and open themselves automatically.
Shop around to find the best type for you.
If you do not think a dosette box is right for you, or if you want a little extra help remembering to take your medication, then our carers may be for you. They may also be helpful if you just need a little help looking after yourself at home.
We offer both domiciliary and live-in care services. A domiciliary carer comes in at pre-arranged times to provide support around the house. Live-in carers provide you with 24-hour care. They could cook meals for you, do some cleaning, or simply be someone to talk to.
If you want to learn more about the services we provide, why not peruse the posts on our Help Hub? Or you can get in touch with our friendly and helpful team on 0800 008 7000.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 8th March 2022 to reflect current information.
