Managing medicines

If you have sight loss, there are practical strategies and aids to help you manage your medicines safely and independently.

Key principles:

Bigger, Brighter, Bolder, make medicines easier to see and identify.

Identification and accessible information:

• Use large print, high-contrast labels, and plain backgrounds.
• Ask your pharmacist for accessible formats (large print, Braille, audio).
• Use tactile markers (elastic bands, tactile lettering, or cutting a corner off the packet).
• Audible labelling devices (e.g. RNIB Penfriend 3) can help.
• All medication packaging should have the name in Grade 1 Braille.

Organising and administering medicines:

• Store medicines in separate places or use containers/drawers to keep them organised.
• Use a contrasting dark tray or deep container to catch dropped tablets.
• Try pill poppers or pill punchers to help get tablets out of blister packs.
• Organise medicines into a large pill box for the week.
• Set alarms or reminders on your smartphone or smart speaker.
• Consider talking medication reminders or automatic pill dispensers.

Navigating blister packs:

• Ask your pharmacy about larger or alternative blister packs.
• Use tactile markers (e.g. blu-tack) to mark the day of the week.
• Develop a systematic approach by feel, counting pouches or using markers.
• If you need help, ask a family member to check the blister pack when you receive it.

Further support:

Find the right equipment with AskSARA or if you’d like to discuss your specific difficulties, contact Staffordshire Cares on 0300 111 8010.