Organize + Energize: A Quick Organizing Project - Organizing Your Meds

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalWorcester Organizing Expert

When was the last time you took inventory of all the medication in your home? How much time do you waste searching for a particular medication? It’s time to organize your meds!

Here are some valuable tips about storing and organizing your medications.

Take it one room at a time. If you have meds all over the home, break the process down and just focus on one room at a time. Start in the kitchen, and then move to the bathroom, closets, etc. Use a flat surface to spread out with all of the meds. Use this as a workstation when you are going through all of the rooms.

Check for expiration dates. Be prepared, if you haven’t gone through your meds in a while, there are going to be many that have expired. I always let my clients decide whether to toss or keep expired meds. If you are unsure of how to dispose of these meds, call your local pharmacy.

Keep your meds itemized and categorized. As you begin decluttering, use the table to categorize all of the meds. You’ll have categories of first-aid, cold/flu, allergy, stomach, eyes, etc.

Think about where you want to store your meds. Once you have all of your categorizes, you’ll have a clear vision of what is there and how you want to store them. Do you want to have one closet dedicated to these meds? Are there prescription ones that you want to keep in a separate place? Think about how you want to grab these and where the best place will be to store them.

Storing your meds. Believe it or not, your medications should not be stored in a medicine cabinet in the bathroom. The bathroom is the worst place to store your medicine. It’s prone to high temperatures and humidity. Medications should be stored away from heat and moisture and closed tight. Keep in a hallway closet, or anywhere in the home where the room temp is between 68 and 77 degrees. Some meds need to be stored in cooler places. Always read the labels.

Label, if you must. Labeling is a great way to find things and find them quickly. Once you create the categories, measure your space, purchase your containers to fit what you have and then label them.

Pill organizers. They aren’t just for prescribed meds. I don’t take prescription meds, but I take many supplements and use a pill organizer. Every Saturday night, I refill the pill organizer with my supplements. It allows me to never forget to take a pill and I don’t have pill bottles all over the counter. I keep the bottles organized in a bin and stored in the closet.

Check on your elders. Please check on your elders and make sure that they are organized with their meds. Also, check to make sure they have a list of all the medication they are taking and be sure they carry the list with them at all times, most importantly, to doctor's appointments. Set them up with a pill organizer so they are taking their pills on schedule every day.

Not only our elders, but everybody should carry a list of meds they are taking. List the name of the medication, dosage, and how often you take the medication. Keep a copy at home and carry one with you.

Depending on how many meds you have, this project should take you no longer than half an hour. It’s one small organizing project that you can scratch off of your to-do list.

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to begin. She is also available for organizing workshops.

Related Slideshow: Organize + Energize: Year in Review - 2015

Prev Next

6 Ways to Find More Time in Your Day

Too often, I hear people say they are too busy and never have time to get things done. Looking for more time in your day? Here are 6 ways to find more time in your day.

Prev Next

5 Reasons You Can't Get Organized

You’ve tried and tried, but just can’t get organized. Here are 5 reasons why you can’t get organized.

Prev Next

7 Things to do when You Are Overwhelmed

Many won’t start an organizing project because they are too overwhelmed. Here are 7 things to do when you are overwhelmed.

Prev Next

7 Mini Habits That Will Move You Closer to Getting Organized

Mini habits will help you maintain your organization. Here are 7 habits that will move you closer to getting organized.

Prev Next

7 Ways You are Wasting Money Due to Your Disorganization

If you are disorganized, you are wasting tons of money. Don’t believe me? Here are 7 ways you are wasting money due to your disorganization.

Prev Next

Peeling Back the Layers of an Organizing Project

Once you begin your organizing projects, you’ll find there are many layers to them. It’s time to dig deep and peel back these layers.

Prev Next

Create a Purpose for Each Room in Your Home

To avoid having rooms where you have to always keep the door shut, create a purpose for each room in your home.

Prev Next

10 Tips for Organizing Your Spare Room

Do you find yourself shutting the door to your spare room? Does it become a black hole for things that don’t have a home? Create a purpose for your spare room and enjoy your new space. Here are 10 tips to organize your spare room.