Purpose
Medication Reminder tasks allow agencies to document that a caregiver provided a medication reminder during a visit. This workflow is ideal for agencies that remind clients to take medications but do not administer medications.
Medication Reminders can be configured directly within the client's assessment, allowing agencies to schedule reminders by day of the week, limit them to specific times of day, and provide caregiver instructions. No medication names, dosages, or administration details are required for this workflow.
Also known as: Medication Reminder, Medicine Reminder, Medication Prompt, Medication Prompting, Medication Cueing, Medication Task, Medication Assistance Reminder.
When to Use Medication Reminder Tasks
Use this workflow when:
Your agency's responsibility is to remind clients to take medications.
Caregivers need a documented task indicating that a reminder was provided.
Medication administration is not being performed by caregivers.
The agency does not need to track medication names, dosages, or administration records.
You want the reminder task to appear automatically during visits based on the assessment schedule.
Prerequisites
Before configuring Medication Reminder tasks:
The client must have an assessment assigned.
The Standard Custom Assessment must be available for the client.
Appropriate service types and visit schedules should already be in place.
Configure a Medication Reminder Task
Step 1: Open the Client Assessment
Open the client's record.
Navigate to the client's assessment.
Open the Standard Custom Assessment.
Step 2: Select the Medication Task
Select the Medication tab within the assessment.
Locate the Medication Reminder task option.
Enable or select the task.
Step 3: Configure When the Task Is Required
For each Medication Reminder task, configure when caregivers should be prompted.
Available options include:
Days of the Week
Select the day or days when the reminder should be required.
Examples:
Monday through Friday
Weekends only
Every scheduled day
Time of Day
Specify the time period during which the task applies.
When a scheduled visit falls within the selected time period, the caregiver will be prompted to complete the task.
Examples:
Morning visits
Afternoon visits
Evening visits
On Request
Enable On Request when the reminder should only be performed when requested by the client rather than on a fixed schedule.
Step 4: Add Caregiver Instructions
A note field is available for providing additional caregiver guidance.
The note can contain up to 1,000 characters.
Use this field to include:
Reminder wording
Client preferences
Special instructions
Safety reminders
Additional context
Example
Remind the client to take their prescribed medications after breakfast. Confirm the reminder was provided. Do not provide medication administration assistance.
Step 5: Save the Assessment
Review the Medication Reminder configuration.
Confirm the days, times, and instructions are accurate.
Complete the assessment.
The Medication Reminder task will now be available to caregivers during qualifying visits.
Caregiver Experience
During a visit that meets the configured criteria:
The caregiver will see the Medication Reminder task.
Any instructions entered in the assessment will be displayed.
The caregiver can document completion of the reminder task.
The task becomes part of the visit documentation.
Optional Alternative Configuration
Some agencies prefer to create a separate custom task named Medication Reminder and map it to service types.
This method is supported but is generally not required.
Alternative Workflow
Create a custom task.
Name the task Medication Reminder.
Map the task to the appropriate service types.
Include any required instructions.
Considerations
Option | Advantages | Considerations |
Medication tab in assessment | Uses existing functionality, easier to maintain, no additional task setup required | None for standard reminder workflows |
Separate custom task | May support agency-specific naming conventions or service-type-specific requirements | Requires additional configuration and ongoing maintenance |
For most agencies that only need medication reminders, using the built-in Medication task within the assessment is the recommended approach.
Best Practice Recommendations
Recommended
Use the built-in Medication task whenever possible.
Add clear caregiver instructions in the note field.
Schedule reminders only for the days and times they are needed.
Review reminder instructions periodically to ensure they remain current.
Keep instructions concise and action-oriented.
Avoid
Creating duplicate Medication Reminder tasks when the built-in functionality meets the need.
Including medication administration instructions if caregivers are providing reminders only.
Using vague instructions that may be interpreted differently by caregivers.
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Daily Medication Reminder
A client requires a reminder every morning.
Configuration:
Monday through Sunday
Morning time period
Reminder instructions entered in the note field
Result:
Caregivers completing morning visits receive the reminder task automatically.
Scenario 2: Client Requests Reminders Only Occasionally
Configuration:
On Request enabled
Instructions entered in the note field
Result:
Medication Reminder tasks are documented only when applicable to the client's needs.
Scenario 3: Different Reminder Requirements by Day
Configuration:
Specific days selected
Different assessment settings based on the client's care plan
Result:
Caregivers receive reminders only on the designated days.
Troubleshooting
Medication Reminder Task Does Not Appear During a Visit
Verify:
The task is selected in the assessment.
The correct days of the week are configured.
The visit falls within the configured time period.
The updated assessment has been completed.
The visit starts after the completion date/time.
Caregiver Cannot See Instructions
Verify:
Instructions were entered in the task note field.
The assessment changes were saved successfully.
Duplicate Medication Reminder Tasks Appear
Verify:
A separate custom Medication Reminder task has not also been assigned.
The agency is not using both the built-in Medication task and a custom Medication Reminder task for the same workflow.
Associated Reports
Depending on your agency's configuration and reporting access, Medication Reminder completion may be reflected within:
Visit documentation
Caregiver visit records
Assessment-based task reporting
Client care documentation reports