Home care service
Medication reminders
Medication reminders are timely prompts and practical organization for someone who can take their own medication but struggles to remember when — so the right dose happens at the right time, every day.
Is this the right kind of help?
You might recognize some of these:
- You’re finding leftover pills, or doses doubled up, in the organizer
- They’re phoning to ask whether they’ve taken their tablets
- A new prescription or a changed schedule has made the routine confusing
- Prescriptions are running out because no one’s tracking refills
- A missed blood-pressure or heart medication has already caused a scare
If a few of those ring true, a conversation with a care coordinator is a good next step — there’s no obligation.
What’s included
- Verbal and visual reminders at the right times — with breakfast, before bed, and so on
- Help reading labels and instructions such as “take with food”
- Reminding clients to take their own medication as directed
- Watching supply levels and prompting the family or pharmacy before anything runs low
- A simple daily log of which reminders were given, shared with the family
- Flagging straight away if doses are refused or forgetfulness seems to be getting worse
The exact tasks are set in a written care plan you approve, and adjusted as needs change.
How Selectives delivers it
There’s an important line here. In the service described on this site, caregivers provide reminders only — they don’t measure doses, fill syringes or push medication on someone who says no. That distinction keeps your loved one in control of their own care.
What caregivers do very well is build the reminder into the rhythm of a visit — tea and tablets together, the organizer checked at the same point each day — so it becomes a habit rather than a nag.
Who it’s for
Medication reminders suit people who are physically able to take their own medication but have memory loss, a complicated schedule, or a recent change in prescriptions, and families who need eyes on whether doses are actually being taken.
Typical schedules
- Reminders timed to medication points during a visit of at least five hours
- Added on to a personal care or companion visit already scheduled
- Twice-daily visits, morning and evening
Care agreements run for a minimum of three months, with two weeks’ notice required to cancel the agreement. Visits have a five-hour minimum and no weekly minimum. Please give 24 hours’ notice to change or cancel a visit; there is no late cancellation fee.
What it costs and how to pay
Pricing is provided after a nurse evaluates your needs. Visits have a five-hour minimum, with no minimum weekly hours. There is currently no additional rate for evening, overnight or live-in care.
Invoices are issued weekly or every two weeks, as agreed. We accept checks and bank transfers. No deposit or card on file is required.
Private pay is our primary focus, and we also work with long-term care insurance and Veterans benefits. Selectives also participates as a Maryland Medicaid provider under the Community Options Program; Medicaid services are subject to eligibility, authorization, program requirements, service availability and other applicable requirements. Contact our care team to discuss your needs and available options.
Medication reminders: common questions
Can the caregiver give my mother her medication?
Our caregivers give reminders and record that the reminder was given. The service described here is reminders only, not hands-on measuring or administering of doses. If medication administration is needed, we’ll help you find the right provider.
What if he refuses to take a dose?
The caregiver won’t force it. They’ll note the refusal, try again a little later if appropriate, and tell the family the same day so you can decide how to handle it or raise it with the doctor.
Can you manage the pill organizer and refills?
Caregivers provide reminders only. Medication organizers and doses must be prepared by the client, family or an appropriate healthcare professional.
Do you coordinate with the pharmacy or doctor?
With your permission, caregivers can pick up prescriptions and pass on observations to the family to raise with the pharmacy or physician. Clinical decisions stay with your loved one and their doctor.
Talk to someone today
A free, no-pressure conversation about what your family needs — call us, or start online and we’ll call you back.