Testimonials

Medication Dispensers

My mother has early stage Alzheimer's and forgets to take her medication or sometimes takes an extra dose because she had forgotten that she already took it. I use to call three times a day to remind her to take her medication and would stay on the telephone until she took it. I was always worried that I would forget to call her. With the MD2, she is taking her medication on time without me having to call to remind her. If she doesn't take it, I will get a notification but so far she has done very well with it and hasn't missed a dose. I still worry about her but I don't worry about her medication and when I call, it's much nicer to just talk about her day.

- Yvette S.
South Carolina

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My mother is in the early stages of Alzheimer's and was really struggling with her day to day activities. What compounded the situation is that my sister and I are long distance caregivers, we live approximately 900 miles away in different directions. Mom was extremely confused, irritable, depressed, and paranoid. Because she was medically noncompliant with her medication, her doctor felt she was no longer able to stay at home alone.

I quickly found out that our options were limited by the availability of services in her area; then I found the MD2 on the internet. Since most of her current problems were the result of not taking her medication, I thought the MD2 looked extremely promising. I decided to give it a try… and what a life changing decision that turned out to be.

My mother now takes her medication on time and consistently, allowing it to work as it was meant to work. She is more cognitive and almost completely back to her bubbly self. I had Mom staying with me and she was able to return to her home with just a weekly visit from her nurse. No live-in assistance or assisted living care is needed at this time all because of the MD2.

I have to admit, this machine has surpassed my highest hopes. Mom knows that the MD2 is the reason she is able to stay at home alone. When it notifies her that it is time for her medication, Mom always gives the MD2 an enthusiastic "Thank you!"

-Barb W.
Colorado Springs, CO

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Dad isn't forgetful about most things but he hates having to take medicine so he tends to forget it. We got him a MedReady and now he doesn't have to think about it. The alarm sounds and he takes his medicine. We like that he can take it with him when he visits my sister without having to reprogram it.

-Jackie W.
Tampa, FL

Scenarios

Anna's Mom had been in the same house for 42 years and had kept it as neat as a pin, but lately it seemed to be unkempt. Anna noticed that she was not pressing her clothes anymore and that her attention to personal hygiene was slipping in general. She observed that her mother was losing weight even though there was plenty of food in the house. Ever since her Mom had fallen, she seemed to be different, easily agitated, and somewhat difficult. Yet her mother didn't welcome help from anyone and got angry when it was suggested that maybe she needed help. Anna worried constantly about another fall. She was calling often just to check on her and to remind her to take her medications.

Margaret was devastated when Harry had a stroke and had to go to a long-term care facility. She wanted to take him home but the hospital said that Margaret couldn't possibly provide the care that Harry required. To make matters worse, Margaret was having problems of her own and had to get a ride to the nursing home just to visit Harry. Harry couldn't talk on the telephone so after she left for the day, she had no contact with him until the next day. Margaret worried all night, as she knew the facility was understaffed and she wondered if they were caring for him properly. Harry and Margaret's daughter was trying to help but she lived too far away to be able to visit regularly.

David's dad was always an active guy. He loved to dance, gamble, and golf. He also liked to smoke. Ernest had to quit smoking after he suffered a heart attack. For the most part, he was back to normal but David still worried about him when he was alone at home. Unfortunately, Ernest was in Arizona and David was in New York. It wasn't easy to drop by to check on him. David wanted the ability to insure that his father was well without having to call him several times a day.

All of the people above are faced with some difficult issues. Most people will be faced with similar situations at some time in their lives. Some of these scenarios require services that can be provide through publicly funded programs or volunteer organizations. Others require dedicated advocacy. All could benefit from remote video monitoring.

How does a child talk to a parent about issues such as safety, nutrition, housekeeping, or personal hygiene? It seems unnatural to question your parents about such things. Some parents get angry and it affects relationships. Children worry that their parents will shut them out which would make matters even worse.

What can Anna do to insure her mother's safety and well being while still respecting her privacy and personal wishes? How can Margaret insure Harry's care? How can David check on his dad without interfering in his busy, independent life?

The stages of becoming a caregiver are difficult, exhausting, frustrating, and painful at times. However, with support from family, friends, professional organizations, and technology this transitional time can be less traumatic and even wonderful.

We can address some of these issues through information, support organizations, or technology.