Medication management can become complicated when a person with Alzheimer’s sees multiple doctors or takes several prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or supplements. A simple written system can help caregivers keep the medication list current and reduce confusion.
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Keep one complete medication list
For every medication, record the name, dose, time, purpose, prescribing clinician, and any instructions. Include nonprescription medicines, vitamins, herbal products, eye drops, and supplements so the health care team can review the complete picture.
Track what was actually given
A daily checklist or medication log can help prevent uncertainty about whether a dose was already given. Record missed doses, refusals, vomiting, new symptoms, or anything unusual so the information can be discussed with the doctor or pharmacist.
Review medications after changes in health
Update the list after a hospital visit, new prescription, dose change, or medication discontinuation. Sudden confusion, falls, sleepiness, agitation, or other new symptoms can sometimes be related to illness, medication side effects, or interactions and should be brought to a health professional’s attention.
Use the doctor and pharmacist as a team
Bring the medication list to appointments and ask the doctor or pharmacist to review it for interactions, duplicate medicines, and instructions that may be difficult to follow at home. Do not stop or change prescription medication without guidance from the prescribing clinician.
Trusted references
See the Alzheimer’s Association medication safety guidance and the National Institute on Aging guidance on taking medicines safely.
This page is for caregiver organization and education. Medication decisions should be made with the person’s health care professionals.
For more caregiver organization tools, visit the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Resource Center or The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Compass™.