Medication Adherence in the 21st Century: Ways to Make Your Life Easier!

First published March 2014
Updated November 2025

Making sure that children with chronic health conditions take their medication regularly and correctly is an important part of staying healthy. Yet, for many patients and their families, following a treatment plan can be overwhelming and it can be hard to stay consistent. Here are four common issues most patients face when remaining consistent with taking medication and how you address them.

Remembering to Take Medications

Daily life is busy and it is easy for a dose to slip through the cracks. One of the most common reasons children miss doses is simply because their caregivers forgot to administer them; often when there’s a lot going on, something might slip through the cracks. Finding tools that help you remember is encouraged and completely fine! Here are some ways to help with medication reminders:

• Set alarms or alerts on phones.
• Use free medication reminder apps.
• Use daily checklists and pill boxes to keep track of medications.
• If able to be safely stored and out of reach of young children, place medication near items used daily, like a toothbrush or wallet.

Timely Treatments

Another barrier for those families who are managing pulmonary issues is the time it takes to complete certain treatments. Fortunately, newer devices have made many therapies quicker and easier.

• Some inhalers can replace medications and be administered in about one minute.
• Ask your doctor and respiratory therapist about options to decrease nebulization time for medications.
• Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to choose an alternative form of airway clearance or exercise to keep lungs clear (this is not always an option for every patient).
• Some antibiotics can be given through tracheostomies or ventilator circuits.

Cost of Treatments

Cost is a major concern for many families. Some tips to help reduce cost include:

• Contact the medication manufacturer. Caregivers should consult with their pharmacy or prescribing clinic if cost is high or a barrier.
• Consider generic versions, though it is important to check with your child’s healthcare provider before making changes.
• Connect with hospital or clinic social workers. They are great resources for finding financial assistance and support.

Complex Routines

Sometimes the issue isn’t forgetting to take medications or how long it takes, but the sheer number of medications prescribed.

• Talk to your provider about the purpose of each medication.
• Discuss ways to simplify routines through combination drugs or reducing the number of times per day the child needs to take medications.
• Keep a medication grid or chart to keep track of the time and purpose of each medication. This can also help providers see the full picture and find ways to reduce the burden.
• Use mobile apps to explain side effects and drug interactions.