Now that Fall is well underway in the Northern Hemisphere, back-to-school is already a memory, it’s a good time to take a look at habit formation, especially in the realm of medication and treatment adherence.
Adherence is a critical issue, both for conventional medication and for alternative treatments of any kind: they can’t work if you don’t follow the plan. Medical researchers estimate that up to 50% of patients don’t take their medication regularly as prescribed, and the number is thought to be even higher for elderly patients, who may have as many as 6 to 8 prescriptions to recall, and who may encounter difficulties in getting to the pharmacy to get them filled; or in covering the expenses of the medications themselves.
But don’t be fooled, adherence to a medical or treatment plan can be just as much as an issue for people using alternative means: herbal remedies, meditation, exercise regimes and the like. It doesn’t count as practicing yoga if you just write the class time on your calendar but don’t actually attend the class!
A change of season is often an inflection point for healthy habits, and it can cut either way. Summer may be a time for vacation or travel, which can disrupt regular routines and make medication adherence harder. Holidays can also disrupt the daily schedule, making it harder to stick to a dependable pattern. Conversely, the new year, one’s birthday, or another regular starting point can be a stimulus to habit formation and routine adherence. For many people, even years after they and even their children have left school behind, the annual start of the school year in September can have the same stimulating effect.
So, now might be a good time to review tips for keeping to daily schedules and habit formation.
- Make a plan. List all your medications and supplements and make sure you have what you need to follow the plan.
- Set up a daily reminder or text message on your phone to get you doing the same thing at the same time each day.
- Communicate. Let your family members or at least one close associate know what your medication needs are, and let them help you stay on target.
- Establish habits. Research shows that it takes about a month for a new action to become a habit, so keep disciplining yourself throughout the first month to build the habit of sticking to your schedule.
Sticking to the schedule makes a big difference. Especially in early days, when your doctor might be waiting to see results before adjusting dosages or medications, it is important to follow the schedule and make note of results and effects. If the schedule of taking the medication becomes difficult, for example, if you’re supposed to take your pills early in the morning, but you’re not a morning person, let your doctor know so they can take your preferences into account when prescribing. Don’t be ashamed to say, “I couldn’t do it.” We are all only human, and we don’t have to be perfect all the time. The more information you are able and willing to give your doctor, the better they can figure out how to help you get the most from your medications. It’s your health at stake!