The World Health Organization estimates that adherence to daily medication averages 50 percent for those suffering from chronic conditions.  In other words, more than 800,000 Canadians over the age of 65 are not taking their medication properly.  This is bad news. 

Non-compliance costs millions of dollars to the Canadian health care system every year, not to mention the devastating effect it has on an individual’s health condition.  Forgetting to take the medication at the right time ranks as the #1 reason why people aren’t complying to their medication schedule. 

Seniors represent the highest percentage of hospital readmissions due to medication errors.  With the average senior taking more than 5 medications daily, a strict medication regime is of the utmost importance. 

Boquete et al. (2009), a medical engineering group involved in electronic solutions to medication management suggest that “tele-assistance represents one of the best prospects for improving the quality of life and autonomy” of patients who fail to adhere to their medication schedule. 

By using medication dispensers with tele-assistance, companies like Equinoxe can closely monitor a patient’s adherence to a medication schedule via their call centre.  Equinoxe can provide security and ease-of-mind by informing family members that their loved one’s medications are being taken at the right time.

What does a medication dispenser do?

• Supports independent living by improving medication adherence and reduces risk of missed doses and dosing errors;
• Easily organizes pills and schedule through it’s user-friendly format;
• Easily programs up to 6 daily medication reminders;
• Dispenses medications and vitamins;
• Provides a locked security feature to prevent overdosing.

How does a medication dispenser work?

• A flashing light and sound alert reminds you that it is time to take your pill;
• Equinoxe LifeCare Managers are alerted when medications are not taken;
• Equinoxe LifeCare Managers can follow up with patients or inform family members of any issues via phone, e-mail or text message.

Why a medication dispenser would work for you or someone you know:

• You or someone you know has forgotten, on numerous occasions, to take medications on time;
• You or someone you know has taken the wrong medication;
• You or someone you know has difficulty remembering which medication(s) to take;
• You or someone you know takes different kinds of medications at different times of the day.
• You or someone you know has been hospitalized 1 or more times in the last year due to a medication error
• You or someone you know has trouble opening or manipulating a pill bottle, dispill package and/or dosette box.

As the field of medical technology advances, devices such as the electronic medication dispenser not only save the health care system time and money, but they can save lives too.

References:

http://mobihealthnews.com/

www.statscan.gc.ca

Boquete, L., Rodriguez-Ascariz, J.M., Artacho, I., Cantos-Frontela, J., Peixoto, N.  “Dynamically Programmable Electronic Pill Dispenser.” J Med Sys 16 January 2009