---
title: "What Is Medication reminder? Home Care Glossary | HomeCare.com"
description: "A medication reminder is a prompt that tells a person it is time to take a medicine they already have. A caregiver may remind aloud, point to a pill..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medication-reminder/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Daily living and health

# Medication reminder

A medication reminder is a prompt that tells a person it is time to take a medicine they already have. A caregiver may remind aloud, point to a pill organizer, or watch an alarm. The caregiver does not choose, measure, or give the medicine.

## Why it matters for your family

Reminders help with missed doses, which can affect health. Tools include weekly pill boxes, phone alerts, timers, and charts. Many families use a mix. The line between reminding and administering matters. A reminder prompts the person to take their own medicine. Administering means giving it, which usually needs a licensed professional or specific state rules. A common mistake is assuming any caregiver can handle pills. HomeCare.com caregivers give medication reminders, not medication administration. Keep an updated list of all medicines, and ask a doctor or pharmacist to review it at least once a year.

Source: [nia.nih.gov](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/medicines-and-medication-management/taking-medicines-safely-you-age)

[Read more: Companion care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/companion-care/)

## Related terms

-   [**Medication administration**Medication administration means giving a person their medicine, such as handing over the dose, measuring liquids, or giving an injection.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medication-administration/)
-   [**Medication management**Medication management is the full set of steps for using medicines safely.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medication-management/)
-   [**Companion care**Companion care is non-medical home care that focuses on company and everyday help.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/companion-care/)
-   [**Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)**Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are tasks needed to live on your own, such as managing money, taking medicines, cooking, housekeeping, shopping, and using transportation or a phone.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/instrumental-activities-of-daily-living/)
-   [**Care log**A care log is a running record of care that has been given, such as meals, medicine reminders, outings, falls and mood.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/care-log/)
-   [**Cognitive decline**Cognitive decline is a drop in memory, thinking, judgment, or language.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/cognitive-decline/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

## Talk to a care advisor today.

Free consultation. No minimums, no contracts.

[800-974-3458](tel:+18009743458)

[Call a care advisor](tel:+18009743458)[Find a caregiver online](https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com)

![A caregiver helping an older adult walk safely](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/_astro/mobility.Doj5AZnu_14WFFj.webp)