Devices for Medication Management
As your loved one’s memory and thinking abilities change in Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss disorders, managing medications safely can become increasingly difficult, and even dangerous.
A person may forget to take medications or confuse pills that look similar. Following a complicated medication timing schedule may become difficult, resulting in their accidentally taking an extra dose of a medication, or the wrong medication at the wrong time.
These mistakes can lead to missing treatments, medication side effects, and may result in falls, hospitalization, or other serious health problems.
Fortunately, a variety of medication management tools and automated dispensing systems are available to help support safety, independence, and peace of mind for both individuals living with cognitive impairment and the family caregivers who assist them.
Here is a sampling:
Live Fine Smart Automatic Pill Dispenser with Wifi-Frosted Lid
OVERVIEW: Helpful for caregivers who are unable to visit a loved one daily, as the mobile app connected to the dispenser will notify you of medication reminders. This way, you can monitor your loved one's progress taking medication and send them reminders if they haven't taken the medication. This dispenser is ideal for caregivers who are comfortable with app usage. Multiple caregivers can connect to the app to monitor medication progress. The Dispenser has 28 slots so can be used for medications taken once a day for 28 days, twice a day for 14 days, three times a day for 9 days, four times a day for 7 days, etc. It has battery life of 4 hours, and plugs into an outlet for charging. The dispenser also has a frosted lid to allow for medication privacy.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Walmart online, or call your local Walmart to see if it is available in store,
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Live-Fine-Smart-Automatic-Pill-Dispenser-with-Wifi-Frosted-Lid/528955671
COMMENTS: Instructions included with dispenser. Reviews on this product are limited.
EziMedPil Automatic Pill Dispenser
OVERVIEW: Maximum number of alarms 6 per day. This dispenser locks for medication safety. It has 28 slots allow you to plan a maximum of 28 days’ worth of medication. Battery operated and comes with one battery. Battery life is around 6 months. The dispenser operates using only three buttons, allowing for simple setup.
COMMENTS: Over 400 reviews including several with video tutorials.
Daviky Pill Dispenser Daily
OVERVIEW: This dispenser is more appropriate for caregivers who visit the loved one regularly (at least once every two weeks). This dispenser is not automatic, requires the loved one to press the button to get access to pills. Also, this device may be more appropriate for loved ones with earlier stage dementia as there is only one medication slot per day, meaning a loved one would have to remember which medications are to be taken at night and which during the day. This dispenser is more appropriate if loved one has fewer medications. Dispenser can be mounted onto a wall. Medications are dispensed upright into a medication cup for easy use. Multiple colors are available.
COMMENTS: Over 400 reviews including several with video tutorials. Over 1000 reviews, customers say they find this dispenser easy to use.
