HHS HealthBeat (May 22, 2008)

The pill card

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Everybody forgets. Most of the time, it’s no big thing. But if you forget to take your medication, it can be a very big thing – a danger to your health, maybe.

So having a memory aid can be a good thing. And this can be as simple as a chart called a pill card. You can make your own.

The director of HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Dr. Carolyn Clancy:

``The pill card will help people keep track of medicines they take. It’s also an excellent tool for people who take care of an aging parent or child.’’  (8 seconds)

You can draw one by hand or you can do it with a computer and a printer. In columns, name the medication – you can add a picture so there’s no mistake – say what it’s used for, and write instructions on how and when to take it.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May, 21 2008