Pharmacists recommend an auto pill dispenser with locks or pill dispensing machine

If you need help spotting risky medications, consider asking a pharmacist for assistance.  Make a comprehensive list of all medications being taken. First include prescription drugs.  Second, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements. Then, for every drug being taken, make sure you and your older relative understand.  The purpose of taking the drug. Ask yourselves if the drug seems to be serving its purpose.

Similarly plan to ask the doctor. If it’s a drug to manage a symptom such as pain.  Likewise consider how the symptom seems to be doing. See if the doctor has reassessed the symptom lately.   Even more if the symptom is still bothersome, you’ll want to discuss with the care provider.

Seniors need to use an auto pill dispenser with locks or pill dispensing machine

By way of contrast, there alternatives to taking the drug.  For example can they be repeating symptoms.  As an illustration there are often non-drug alternatives.  These can and should be considered. For instance, certain types of counseling can be effective for depression and anxiety. In a like manner, physical therapy can help treat some forms of pain. Pelvic floor exercises and timed toileting can reduce incontinence.  Put a lower dosage in your auto pill dispenser with locks or pill dispensing machine if it’s possible.

In general, the risk of side-effects and problems goes up with higher doses of medication.

Consider asking if a lower dose is possible for any of the medications.  If you’re concerned about drug-drug interactions, have a medication list .  Furthermore check for possibly dangerous interactions.  Don’t forget to include any over-the-counter drugs or supplements.  Check for interactions with OTC’s as well.

You can use an online drug interaction checker such as this one, or ask a pharmacist for help.

If you identify a potentially problematic interaction, let the doctor know as soon as possible. But don’t stop the medication on your own, as that can be dangerous too.  If cost is an issue, ask the doctor about options for reducing the medications, or at least switching to less expensive alternatives.  The right pills with the right Pill box means no need for an auto pill dispenser with locks.

For instance, stopping a medication that is not working well for a symptom can help reduce drug costs.  If medication is required for a given problem, such as very high blood pressure, ask if there is a cheaper medication available.  Pharmacists may be able to offer suggestions regarding less costly alternatives, or other ways to modify the medication plan.  If taking medications on schedule is an issue, ask the doctor for help simplifying and streamlining the daily medication plan.

For drugs taken several times a day, there may be a once-a-day option.

Or ask whether a drug can be stopped, and a non-drug treatment tried instead.  Pharmacists can often recommend ways to safely adjust when and how medications are taken.  Keep the doctors well-informed about your relative’s medications and medication use. 

In particular, help the doctors avoid these two common pitfalls:

Problem the confusion as to what has been prescribed by other doctors. Most seniors see multiple doctors.  Moreover, hospital stays can create additional changes to the medication list. Don’t assume that doctors have an up-to-date list.   In fact, they almost never do.  Bring an up-to-date list every time you see the doctor.  Subsequently bring the bottles along too. Be sure not to forget supplements and over-the-counter drugs.  Hence, the need for an auto pill dispenser with locks or pill dispensing machine.

Confusion as to what the older person is actually taking.

If your relative hasn’t filled a prescription due to cost, or isn’t taking a medication for any reason, be sure to let the doctor know this. This is especially important if the older person has had concerns about side-effects.  By implementing some — or ideally all — of the steps above, you can help make sure that an older person gets the most benefit from medications, while minimizing the risks and burdens.

The Smart Pill dispensing machine was designed for the special needs of Early and Middle Stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.  The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that a Pill reminder should be the first decision for management of prescriptions.  Med-Q Smart Pill Box isn’t the old auto pill dispensing machine.

Upgrade to something better than a pill dispensing machine

If you are using a auto pill dispenser with locks time to upgrade.  Simply put,  if you need an pill dispensing machine with lock mechanism you are in trouble.  Modern technology is an improvement over an auto  pill dispenser that mist lock to prevent mistakes.  Using a 21st century auto pill dispenser, you can get rid of the locks