Automated Pill Dispensers, such as Pria, are making medication management easier for caregivers, care teams and their loved ones. Medication management is an integral part of caring for loved ones, and automated pill dispensers help with organization and timeliness. After a caregiver or care team loads and schedules the dispenser, their loved one doesn’t need to worry. The dispenser alerts and doses out medication for them.

If you are new to caregiving, you may be feeling overwhelmed. There are many resources and tools designed to help you. Check out this blog post on how to ease into family caregiving and decide if an automatic pill dispenser is right for you and your loved one.

Level of Care and Monitoring Needed

Is your loved one able to take care of themselves for the most part? If your loved one is mentally and physically healthy, they may not need a high level of care. Automated pill dispensers are popular with the senior population, but also with people with disabilities. If a loved one is in a wheelchair and has trouble accessing a medicine cabinet, then an automatic pill dispenser may be helpful. If a loved one of any age is new to taking multiple medications, automatic pill dispensers are a great organization tool.

Distance From Loved One

Another thing to consider is if someone will be able to set up and monitor the automatic pill dispenser. Caregivers or healthcare professionals are tasked with setting up automatic pill dispensers and making sure they are continuously filled.

If your loved one isn’t close in location to someone that can help care for them, you may want to consider having them move closer or look into in-home or senior living facilities. If they are able to continue living alone safely, then full or part-time in-home care may be the best option. If a loved one isn’t thriving living alone, a type of senior living facility may be best for them.

Mental and Physical Health of Loved One

Consider the mental and physical health of your loved one. Is medication management the only thing they need assistance with? Forgetfulness is common in older people, but at a certain point, it may be time to consult a doctor. Memory problems are often associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but forgetfulness can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, sadness, or change of routine. There are many activities that help with cognitive ability, like sudokus or word games. These can be found both on and offline.

Openness to New Technology

While many older people are embracing technology, some may be hesitant or opposed to using it. If your loved one likes to do things the traditional way or is averse to technology, they may not want to use an automated medication dispenser. You may want to consider a more traditional pill organizer. If they are open to the idea but hesitant, show them how technology can be positive and help them stay independent, keep in touch with friends and family, watch movies and provide a variety of products to help keep them safe.

Automated Medication Dispensers Are a Great Tool to Have in Your Health Routine Toolbox

There are many reasons your loved one should use an automated medication dispenser. It can make medication management easier for care teams and families. When making the decision, make sure to include them in the conversation as it will affect their day-to-day life. Automated medication dispensers may be the right choice for your loved one. The first step is starting the conversation.