Always be sure that the person in your care takes the medication exactly as prescribed. Keep an accurate list of these medications and when they should be taken.

Never make any changes to these medications without talking to the doctor or specialist first. However, because everyone's treatment needs are different, the specialist may want to try changing the amount or timing of drugs, within certain limits. If you are worried or have any questions, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

People who have serious health problems often take a large number of medications at many different times of the day. It is essential to have a careful system for keeping track of medications:

• When medications should be given
• How they should be given
• When they were actually given

As you prepare your own schedule, be sure to record information from the label of each prescription, including

• Days of the week when each medicine must be taken
• Number of times per day
• Time of day
• Whether the medicine is to be taken with or without food
• How much water should be taken with the medicine

Also make a note to yourself about any warnings (for example, "Don't take this medicine with alcohol") and possible side effects (dizziness, confusion, headache, etc.).

• Never crush drugs without talking to the doctor or pharmacist first. If the person in your care has trouble swallowing medication, ask the doctor if there is another way it can be taken.
• If the person in your care will take the medicine without your help, ask the pharmacist to use easy-open caps on prescription bottles.
• Do not store medicine that will be taken internally (swallowed) in the same cabinet with medicine that will be used externally (lotions, salves, creams, etc.)
• Keep a magnifying glass near the medicine cabinet for reading small print.
• Store most medicine in a cool, dry place—usually not the bathroom.
• Remove the cotton from each bottle so that moisture is not drawn in.
• Check with your pharmacist about disposal options for expired medications in your area.
• If childproof containers are too hard to open, ask the pharmacist for containers that are not childproof and be sure they are not available to the person with AD.