medication reminder

[redcrx]

Has anyone got any recommendations for a medication reminder?

My nan has to take a lot of varying tablets, shes currently staying with my mum (usually lives with my aunt) and whilst at mums we have found that she cant be taking correct medicationas shes had some bad reactions to her prescribed dose. The nurses here think its because she forgets to take her tablets half the time. She even came to mums with a pack of antibiotics (leaflet states for use with urinary infections), they were dated 3 days before she came and yet she hadnt taken any and didnt even recall being prescribed them.

Anyway, when she goes home we are concerned that she will go back to not taking tablets (they are for Diabetes and heart problems) so want to find her a reminder system. She has the special packs from pharmacy with days and times on but cant recall the day half the time. Weve tried to let her sort herself whilst at mums but she really hasnt a clue.

Can anyone recommend (ive googled and found many online) a system whereby she will get a reminded and either a flashing light or a vibrate alarm. She is extremely deaf even with her hearing aid in so needs to be something she will notice.

[4getmenot]

she called me fat I'm not helping her. lol. I dont know what mum can do even if she had some sort of alarm she'd forget what that alarm was for, shame out big fat waste of space of an auntie wont make sure she takes them properly

[ummmm]

A pager?

[angel21]

Apart from someone being there to make sure she takes them, I can't think of anything else.

Yes get onto your big fat waste of space auntie to help her out!

[redcrx]

youre right 4get, it would be easier if they checked like we have to. Maybe then she wouldnt have such problems with her ulcerated legs :(

how would a pager work ummm? wouldnt we need to send it a message each time and doesnt that cost to set up. The only contact with pagers ive had is a fireservice alerter

[ummmm]

Then she can read why it's buzzing...

[yogi.bear]

Hi redcrx

You may have already googled this link.....may be good....hopefully someone in same situation will answer with a tried and tested product, so give you a heads up....

http://www.wheelchair-ramps.co.uk/deaf-alerter s.html

Best of luck.

all the best

yogi

[redcrx]

i dont think she'd forget what the alarm was for and all her medication would be at hand, so she'd just need to open the next container.

a pager may be OTT.

[ummmm]

As far as I know you phone a centre and they send the message. you tell them 'take your meds' and they send it to the pager. I think it's just a normal phone call charge.

[ummmm]

What about a mobile and send her a text?

[4getmenot]

yes thats what I was thinking um surely a mobile would be cheapare and we just text her, we couldnt ring her to tell her as she'd go on for an hr about everything

[yogi.bear]

Thats a good idea, ummmm

better than my crap one!!! sorry redcrx

:0)

[4getmenot]

Then its the thing with her understanding how to use a mobile and actually hear it

[luxury]

Hi redcrx,

How about just ringing her? then she doesn't have to fiddle with mobile phone buttons and trying to work out how to get the message.

At least if there was some sort of rota to call her then you can stay on the phone whilst she physically takes the tablet :)

L. x

[4getmenot]

When we all have to work there is no way we could ring nan 4 times a day as it wouldnt just be a 2 second call to tell her to take her tablets

[redcrx]

luxury, thats just not possible, any phone call to my nan takes an hour and we get her life story each time. She cant hear us well enough and would change subject and just talk over any mention of tablet taking. Doing that 4 times a day will be impossible.

all i need is to find something that is good enough to just give an alarm 4 times a day, with a flashing light or vibration, and doesnt need resetting each time

[funnygirl]

Have you tried the RNID Shop.

They have got lots of products.

http://www.rnid.org.uk/shop/products/alerting_ devices/

[luxury]

Hi 4get,

There are more than 2 of you in the family, and there must be a sensible way to work out a rota for the calls. Everyone gets a luch break, a tea break etc and since she's staying with your mum, I'm being a little presumptious here maybe.... but why can't your mum call her?

My husbands dad has alzheimers and if we didn't call him everyday to remind him to take the tabs??? then he wouldn't take them, he also has the 7 day packets and also has care workers going in 3 times a day too lol

Can your nan get any help from services?

[luxury]

We've got round the life stories now god bless him lol

[4getmenot]

she has a nurse visit everyday, and she is only staying with my mum for next week, she lives in an annex next to my auntie