(ARA) - In years past, the holidays were a very stressful time for Marilyn Reynolds, 69, of Swampscott, Mass. In addition to cleaning up, preparing meals and entertaining, she had to watch her 79-year-old husband, Henry, like a hawk to make sure he was taking his medication correctly.

“He takes dozens of pills a week to keep his heart condition in check,” says Marilyn. “And it used to drive me nuts that he kept all the information about which pills to take and when on crumbled up pieces of paper. I thought to myself, there has to be a better way.”

Situations like Marilyn and Henry’s are more common than you may think. A recent study done by the University of Pittsburgh found that one in four American adults take five or more medicines per week. And, according to the Consumer Health Information Corporation, half of all prescription medicines are not taken correctly by patients at home.

“I believe it,” says Marilyn. “Over the years, we’ve had a few close calls.” While doing an Internet search on how people in situations like her husband’s handle things, Marilyn found what she calls the perfect solution.

The Medication Minder is an easy-to-use organizer that allows the user or users to keep medicines, health-related information, prescriptions and appointment cards in one organized storage unit. When users take their medication they can immediately record the day and time they took it as well as list any questions they may have for their doctor.

“The Medication Minder is more than just a method to organize your medicines; it takes the worry and stress out of keeping control of your medication schedule,” says C.J. Stafford, co-founder of Customer Care Advantage, the company that came up with the concept. “Organization of medicine amount and type is an essential element of so many lives, why not have a tool that can make this sometimes difficult transition, easier?”

The Medication Minder sticks to any magnetic surface, such as a refrigerator. It can also be hung in a cabinet or pantry, or stand on any flat surface.

“We hung ours on the side of the refrigerator so it’s easy to access,” says Marilyn. “It’s great to get back the shelf space in the cabinet that used to be taken up with pill bottles.”

The Medication Minder can be used by a single patient or by the entire household. The device just hit the market in October 2004 and is not yet available in stores. To order direct from the manufacturer, log on to www.medicationminder.com or call (800) 503-2773.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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