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Automatic Pill Dispenser - help please
- By Ginni
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Fri 7 Dec 2007 21:56
As my 88 year old aunt's memory and general health has deteriorated during the last 8 months or so following a recurring infection in her foot I've recently become increasingly concerned about her medication. At the moment I'm managing to continue to work full time as long as I check on my aunt and my mother (80) at lunchtime - fortunately I only work 5 minutes away and work have been great in enabling me to take time off at short notice and pop home to meet doctors, nurses, etc. But my aunt is now having longer periods of confusion when she's not sure what time of the day it is and I can't be sure she's taking her tablets at the right time or taking too many together. It's not fair or reasonable to expect my mother to remember to monitor these either. I've been looking on the web at automatic pill dispensers with alarms which will only allow one dose to be taken at a time. But as they cost over £100 I'd really value any advice or experience anyone's had with them before I spend that sort of money and find I have something that doesn't really do what I would like it to. Also, if anyone has used them - any particular brand to be recommended or even more importantly - any brand I shouldn't touch with a barge pole. I would really value any and all suggestions. Many thanks
Replies
- By Marge
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Re: Automatic Pill Dispenser - help please
Sat 8 Dec 2007 20:37Hi Ginni,
My mum used one of these for about 6 months. It was free as SS were doing a trial & had the funds for it so we were in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately it was too complex for her - she has vascular cognitive impairment, & I really do think the dispenser is only suitable for very basic forgetfulness, anything more complex & you need someone to physically dispense the meds - a care worker if a family member can't do it. We now have someone coming in on the days I cant be there, & we've returned to the basic days per week box.
What happened was, it was quite successful at first, but then her deteriorating memory meant that:
1. She forgot what the dispenser was for
2. She forgot why it buzzed - just moved it to stop it buzzing
3. She left the pills in situ & didnt take them
4. She took them out of the dispenser & forgot to take themI'd say, give it a try & contact SS to see if you can get it free or rent it - ours was called the Telecare scheme. It also meant, for us, that it wasnt used in isolation - it was connected to a call centre, & they rang me if she didnt move the box when it buzzed. Its a fantastic idea in theory, but its not a miracle worker. Some good came out of it though as she's still connected to the call centre.
Good luck.
- By papanna
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Re: Automatic Pill Dispenser - help please
Sun 27 Jan 2008 20:02sorry I have just found your topic . My mother was forgetting to take her pills and Boots chemist has started putting all her pills into a bubble pack I can now tell at a glance if she has taken them or not. Each pack is for 7 days and is marked breakfast, lunch, evening and nightime I hope this might help you.
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