What level of monitoring or accountability do you require? Many units have an associated app that will alert you when your loved one has skipped a dose, but be sure to check if this feature is important to you.ĭoes Medicare pay for automatic pill dispensers?.How often and at what type of intervals is your loved one required to take their medication? Again, most units can accommodate a variety of complex medication schedules, but be sure to compare the unit's features against the schedule prescribed by your loved one's physician.How much medication is your loved one taking and how large are their pills? Most units have medication trays that are designed to hold a substantial amount of medication, but there can be limits on the volume as well as maximum pill size requirements.Does your loved one have arthritis or limited mobility? If so, be sure to read up on the ease of use of the unit you are considering.Does the unit you are considering have a backup power supply? Most do, but you should double-check before purchasing in case of power outages.Does your loved one have dementia? If so, a locking lid and built-in anti-tampering alarm system may be a feature that is especially important to you.Are you looking for a service that will handle prescription renewals as well as medication dispensing? Be aware that there can be an ongoing fee associated with these types of services.How often will you or someone you trust be able to fill the dispenser? Some units can hold more medication than others.Will your loved one require audio alerts, visual alerts or both when it's time to take their medication? Most units emit an audible noise at varying decibels in addition to a flashing light for the hearing impaired.Most also lock when not in use, preventing the patient from taking the wrong pills, as well as preventing children from accessing the device.Ī Few Things to Consider Before Purchasing These devices provide safety and reassurance by dispensing the correct pills on a set day/time via an alarm/reminder mechanism. Pill dispensers are portable devices that allow you to organize your medication by day/time. Taking another dose too soon after the first one.Incorrectly taking too many doses at once. ![]() Common Issues Seniors Have with Medication Automatic pill dispensers, in particular, can help older adults organize their medication by day, time, amount, and frequency. In a recent post, The Best Tools for Medication Management, we discussed various tools available to help your aging loved ones manage their prescriptions safely and accurately. ![]() Approximately 44% of men and 57% of women older than 65 years take five or more nonprescription and/or prescription medications per week, and 12% of persons in this age group take 10 or more nonprescription and/or prescription medications per week.*įor your loved one's health and safety it is especially important they take the right medication, at the right dose properly every day. For many older adults remembering to take medication can be difficult.
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