How do you choose a pillbox?

Following a course of medication can be difficult and restrictive for an elderly person. That’s why knowing how to choose a pillbox can be invaluable.

Factors to consider when choosing a pillbox

Choosing the right pillbox involves taking into account several key factors that correspond to your individual needs. Here are the essential aspects to bear in mind:

Size and capacity: The first factor to consider is the size of the pillbox. Assess how many medicines you take regularly and choose a size that holds them all. A large capacity pillbox is suitable for people taking a lot of medication or travelling frequently.
Compartment design: Compartment design plays an important role in choosing a pillbox. Look for pillboxes with compartments that are clearly labelled and easy to access. Compartments that are easy to open and close can simplify your daily routine.
Portability: If you’re constantly on the move, opt for a pillbox that offers portability. Compact, lightweight pillboxes are convenient to carry in a handbag, backpack or pocket. Consider features such as a secure closure mechanism to prevent accidental spills.
Durability: Make sure the pillbox you choose is made from quality materials to ensure it lasts. A sturdy pillbox will stand up to daily use and last a long time. Look for options with sturdy hinges and solid construction.
Visibility and reminders: Some pillboxes offer features that facilitate visibility and reminders. Transparent lids or compartments make it easy to check whether you’ve taken your medication. In addition, pillboxes with built-in alarms or timers can be useful for people who need regular reminders.
Personalisation: Personalisation options in a pillbox can add convenience and efficiency. Look for pillboxes with removable dividers or adjustable compartments to accommodate different sizes and shapes of pills. This feature allows you to tailor the pillbox to your specific needs.

Different types of pillbox

A pillbox is a compartmentalised box that divides tablets into compartments to make it easier to take your medicine. This device also ensures that you don’t forget to take your pills or take them twice. Pillboxes also offer the advantage of being able to take your medicines with you, for the day or the week, without having to pick up the boxes.

There are different types and sizes.

The daily pillbox lets you prepare your treatment for the day, with 4 compartments: morning, noon, evening and night. Its small size means it fits in your pocket or handbag.

The weekly pillbox is designed to prepare your treatment for the week. It has 7 modules, 1 for each day of the week. Each module is in fact a daily pillbox.

Electronic pillboxes (like the Pilbox Electro, for example) include, in addition to the pill dispenser, an automatic audible or visual reminder to help you stick to your treatment. It also has a protection mechanism to prevent the wrong medicine being taken at the wrong time. In this way, elderly people can avoid overdosing. It only requires the intervention of a third party (a relative or nurse) once a week to prepare it.

The advantages of the pillbox

Allows you to prepare your medical treatment for the week. This can be done by yourself, a relative or a nurse.
Makes it easier to take your medicine. We often ask ourselves: have I already taken my medicine this morning? Thanks to the Medication Range, all you have to do is check whether the box for the day of the week in question is empty or not. No more forgetting to take a particular tablet, and your treatment is much easier to follow.
Compliance with prescribed doses: When you prepare your pillbox, you fill in each box (morning, noon, evening and bedtime) with the dose corresponding to your treatment. This ensures that you take your treatment correctly, as prescribed by your doctor.
You can take your medication with you, for the day or the week, without having to pick up your boxes and risk losing one. Your treatment is all in one place. What’s more, the attractive, modern design of the pillboxes makes taking your pills much more discreet. There’s no need to take your pills out of their blister packs in front of everyone.

How do I choose a pillbox?

To choose the most appropriate format, take into account the quantity of medication prescribed for the elderly person, the size of the tablets and the number of times you take them each day.

Depending on the pathology, some medicine boxes are more suitable than others. There are, for example, pillboxes specifically for homeopathy. It’s important to take into account the elderly person’s manual dexterity when choosing the type of container that’s right for them (self-adhesive blisters, sliding pods, boxes with drawers or lids). Some pillboxes can be particularly difficult to open if your loved one suffers from osteoarthritis of the hand or Parkinson’s disease (tremors). In these cases, you should choose simple-opening systems. If the compartments are closed individually, they should be large enough to allow small tablets to be removed easily, even with large fingers.

What about people with Alzheimer’s?

If your elderly loved one suffers from Alzheimer‘s disease, make sure you opt for a pill dispenser with a secure dispensing system to prevent them from taking all their medicines at once. Some pillboxes have more or less advanced locking functions, which prevent the patient from accessing their medication directly. This means that a third party (carer, care assistant, nurse) must be present to help the patient take their medication.

For elderly people with visual problems, the boxes must be clearly identifiable: the day of the week and time of day must be clearly legible to avoid any mistakes when taking the medication.

To reduce the risk of forgetting to take medication, it is important to keep the pillbox within easy reach, and to associate taking medication with activities of daily living (e.g. eating).

Frequently asked questions about choosing a pillbox in a pharmacy

What is the best type of pillbox for people who travel frequently? A: Compact, portable pillboxes are ideal for people who travel frequently.

Can I find pillboxes with customisable compartments? A: Yes, they offer adjustable compartments or removable dividers to accommodate different pill sizes.

Is it better to buy a pillbox in a pharmacy or online? A: Both options are available. In a pharmacy, you can see and touch the products, whereas online, you have a wider range of choices.

What is the average lifespan of a pillbox? R: When made from durable materials, a pillbox can last for several years with proper use.

How do I clean my pillbox? R: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. In general, use warm water and mild soap, and be sure to dry well before reusing.

Arnaud. C (Doctor of Pharmacy)