"I get asked this question a lot!" (a quote from Craig Ferguson, TV's host of the Late,Late Show)
Most recently (today!) I was asked "...which chronic conditions are associated with the poorest compliance rates?" by a healthcare communications agency in the UK. Here's my reply:
I have no robust data, as requested, but compliance is pretty poor across the board. I've spent my entire pharmacy career trying to wrestle the compliance problem into submission. Frustratingly, the main barrier often comes from the patient himself. Few realize or will admit they're being noncompliant, so they don't seek ways to correct a problem they don't think they have! Denial is so much easier. Just ignore it and it will go away...
However, from my own personal experience, I'd have to say that diabetics face the most challenges with compliance. Diabetes is on the rise in the US, largely becaus oebesity is out of control and has almost become a "growth industry".
These patients have "3 strikes against them" from the day they are diagnosed.
Strike 1 - Many diabetics are poorly educated, and probably never fully understand why all these things are necessary.
Strike 2 - Many have limited income, so they don't or can't eat properly.
Strike 3 - More importantly, their drug regimen can be very complicated and difficult to follow under the best of circumstances.
Sadly, many never fully grasp or accept the seriousness of their disease until it's too late., resulting in amputation of limbs, loss of eyesight, loss of kidney function... This disastrous list is nearly endless.
At OnTimeRx, we've focused on simplifying routines with reminders to enable organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, and diabetics because it's very difficult for them to manage their complex drug regimens. Compliance is important for everyone, and even a slight improvement would save billions of dollars every year. Ultimately, patients would be able to stay healthier and have better treatment outcomes. Win-Win!
I invite everyone to test our software reminder solutions and even the automated email reminders available on our website. Reminders really do help as evidenced by our unsolicited User Testimonials.
Here's to your health!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Gift of Life - Organ Donation
Organ transplant recipients have been given a "second chance" at life, but often find it very difficult to manage all of the medications they need to prevent organ rejection. I've been working with many of these patients for a very long time.
Just heard from a transplant recipient who is a Registered Nurse from the UK, and has been using OnTimeRx software on a Palm hand held device since 2001. David's one of many OTRx owners who keeps in touch regularly - every time a loyal OTRx user upgrades or changes to a new device, I get a desperate email.
"Help!! My old Palm died, and I've just bought a Windows Mobile smart phone. I need a new OnTimeRx unlock key as soon as possible! Can't get along without it."
In David's case, going from a Palm to a Windows Mobile (Pocket PC) phone, he's very lucky. He can upload all of his current Palm data to our OnTimeRx-Windows desktop program and download it to his new Windows Mobile (PocketPC) device. That simple process saves an unbelievable amount of time for data entry.
Does anyone know of another medication reminder or hand held application that can provide that kind of functionality and capture such user loyalty? I sure don't! It's very rewarding to know that this simple software program is helping organ recipients all over the world to live simpler and healthier lives.
Take a moment to sign an Organ Donor card. Organ donation truly is a precious Gift of Life! Please pass it ON!!!
Just heard from a transplant recipient who is a Registered Nurse from the UK, and has been using OnTimeRx software on a Palm hand held device since 2001. David's one of many OTRx owners who keeps in touch regularly - every time a loyal OTRx user upgrades or changes to a new device, I get a desperate email.
"Help!! My old Palm died, and I've just bought a Windows Mobile smart phone. I need a new OnTimeRx unlock key as soon as possible! Can't get along without it."
In David's case, going from a Palm to a Windows Mobile (Pocket PC) phone, he's very lucky. He can upload all of his current Palm data to our OnTimeRx-Windows desktop program and download it to his new Windows Mobile (PocketPC) device. That simple process saves an unbelievable amount of time for data entry.
Does anyone know of another medication reminder or hand held application that can provide that kind of functionality and capture such user loyalty? I sure don't! It's very rewarding to know that this simple software program is helping organ recipients all over the world to live simpler and healthier lives.
Take a moment to sign an Organ Donor card. Organ donation truly is a precious Gift of Life! Please pass it ON!!!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Freedom and Independence - Every Day
Freedom and Independence - powerful words to live by and very important topics these days - in more ways than one.
When your "days dwindle down to a precious few", where would you rather be? At Home or in a Nursing Home - DUH!!! That's a No Brainer!
No matter how old I get, I never think of myself as OLD or belonging in that crowd - a bunch of "old people"? No WAY!!!. Being in familiar surroundings at home is much nicer than being a "stranger in a strange place", thank you very much!
Most importantly, I don't want to rely on anyone else to tell me everything I need to do. I can preserve, protect, defend, and maintain my own personal Freedom and Independence. So Don't call Homeland Security on my account! Here's how I handle it all by myself and you can, too:
I use reminders for medications, doctor appointments, and all my bloodwork and lab tests. Really... for absolutely everything!
For my EYES! - Like a lot of older people, I have macular degeneration in both eyes and have to look at a grid to check for any changes in my vision - EVERY DAY!!! My husband and I both get a "Check your Grid!" reminder daily by email, which I scheduled in my online OnTimeRx automated reminder account.
For my MEDICATION REMINDERS - These are set up in OnTimeRx software on a Palm Z22 device. Every dose of my 18 daily pills is taken and automatically logged when the alarms tell me to. Like thousands of other OTRx users, I absolutely could not live without this software!
Even for my BANKING - We all have to be fiscally responsible and keep our accounts up-to-date. I just got a reminder on my computer monitor to check my bank balance online. That one is set up in my OnTimeRx-Windows software program.
These are just a few of ways I use reminders on a daily basis. I'll tell you about more in another post... but you can try any or all of these for yourself at: http://www.ontimerx.com
When your "days dwindle down to a precious few", where would you rather be? At Home or in a Nursing Home - DUH!!! That's a No Brainer!
No matter how old I get, I never think of myself as OLD or belonging in that crowd - a bunch of "old people"? No WAY!!!. Being in familiar surroundings at home is much nicer than being a "stranger in a strange place", thank you very much!
Most importantly, I don't want to rely on anyone else to tell me everything I need to do. I can preserve, protect, defend, and maintain my own personal Freedom and Independence. So Don't call Homeland Security on my account! Here's how I handle it all by myself and you can, too:
I use reminders for medications, doctor appointments, and all my bloodwork and lab tests. Really... for absolutely everything!
For my EYES! - Like a lot of older people, I have macular degeneration in both eyes and have to look at a grid to check for any changes in my vision - EVERY DAY!!! My husband and I both get a "Check your Grid!" reminder daily by email, which I scheduled in my online OnTimeRx automated reminder account.
For my MEDICATION REMINDERS - These are set up in OnTimeRx software on a Palm Z22 device. Every dose of my 18 daily pills is taken and automatically logged when the alarms tell me to. Like thousands of other OTRx users, I absolutely could not live without this software!
Even for my BANKING - We all have to be fiscally responsible and keep our accounts up-to-date. I just got a reminder on my computer monitor to check my bank balance online. That one is set up in my OnTimeRx-Windows software program.
These are just a few of ways I use reminders on a daily basis. I'll tell you about more in another post... but you can try any or all of these for yourself at: http://www.ontimerx.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Time for a "Reality Check"?
I'm frequently asked to describe OnTimeRx automated reminders, and this is the usual and immediate reaction:
"What a great idea! My grandmother is always forgetting to take her heart medication. She could really use this!"
But when I describe the reminders to a grandmother, I get a totally different reply:
"Oh good gracious! I don't need reminders. I'm not that far gone!"
No disrespect, but.... "Granny" needs a Reality Check!
This is a typical and totally understandable reaction - even if it's based on an irrational fear. She may NOT be remembering to do everything as well as she thinks. Very few of us do.
For some reason, we all tend to think it's inevitable that someday our family will decide that we can't handle our own care anymore. Instead of doing something NOW that will keep that from happening, people tend to deny it will ever happen to them - until it's too late!
I worked for 18 years in a nursing home and I know from experience that most of the residents were placed there by their families when they felt the parent could no longer be trusted to take their medications responsibly.
Even though medication reminders seem like the perfect solution to the younger generation, Granny sees this as a reminder of a different sort and the "denial" stage kicks in and the barriers go up. . Basically she feels she's being told she's getting too old to live alone, and she will fight that to the bitter end. Unfortunately, it's a downhill slope from there, but it doesn't have to be.
Most caregivers are in "sandwich generatiion", the 30 to 50-something age range, and are very comfortable with technology. Why not try some reminders for your own meds or tasks first and see if they help. Then try to entice "Granny" to get with the program. After all, what has she got to lose but her "independence"?!!!
"What a great idea! My grandmother is always forgetting to take her heart medication. She could really use this!"
But when I describe the reminders to a grandmother, I get a totally different reply:
"Oh good gracious! I don't need reminders. I'm not that far gone!"
No disrespect, but.... "Granny" needs a Reality Check!
This is a typical and totally understandable reaction - even if it's based on an irrational fear. She may NOT be remembering to do everything as well as she thinks. Very few of us do.
For some reason, we all tend to think it's inevitable that someday our family will decide that we can't handle our own care anymore. Instead of doing something NOW that will keep that from happening, people tend to deny it will ever happen to them - until it's too late!
I worked for 18 years in a nursing home and I know from experience that most of the residents were placed there by their families when they felt the parent could no longer be trusted to take their medications responsibly.
Even though medication reminders seem like the perfect solution to the younger generation, Granny sees this as a reminder of a different sort and the "denial" stage kicks in and the barriers go up. . Basically she feels she's being told she's getting too old to live alone, and she will fight that to the bitter end. Unfortunately, it's a downhill slope from there, but it doesn't have to be.
Most caregivers are in "sandwich generatiion", the 30 to 50-something age range, and are very comfortable with technology. Why not try some reminders for your own meds or tasks first and see if they help. Then try to entice "Granny" to get with the program. After all, what has she got to lose but her "independence"?!!!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Matter of Life or Death!
Organ Donation - the Gift of Life! Sounds wonderful and it is, but...
A lot of people (even some who are on the Organ Waiting List) mistakenly think that once the organ transplant surgery is over and a new "healthy organ" is working, the battle is won! That is just NOT so!
Cold hard fact is: If you mess up with your medications, you could lose the organ, which obviously requires another transplant, or you could wind up dead! Not a pretty picture.
So... Organ transplant recipients have a special need to be extremely compliant with their immunosuppressant medications to lessen the likelihood of organ rejection. Compliance and adherence is no small task for anyone, but when you consider that on average, they may be taking 12 to 20 different drugs every day, it's especially challenging for them!
As if the shear number of drugs weren't enough to deal with, there's an additional problem added to that scenario. The dosages and the drugs will change frequently in the first few months after surgery until the doctor finds the right combination and blood level balance to get the best outcome. It truly amazes me to think that anyone could successfully handle all of that with nothing more than a paper schedule and a will to live!
That daunting "life or death" need for compliance served as the motivation for my developing OnTimeRx reminder software in the first place. We have many devoted users of OnTimeRx software, who are transplant recipients, and I hear from them frequently.
A new OTRx user, with a new heart on 11/11/08, wrote me this week to say:
A lot of people (even some who are on the Organ Waiting List) mistakenly think that once the organ transplant surgery is over and a new "healthy organ" is working, the battle is won! That is just NOT so!
Cold hard fact is: If you mess up with your medications, you could lose the organ, which obviously requires another transplant, or you could wind up dead! Not a pretty picture.
So... Organ transplant recipients have a special need to be extremely compliant with their immunosuppressant medications to lessen the likelihood of organ rejection. Compliance and adherence is no small task for anyone, but when you consider that on average, they may be taking 12 to 20 different drugs every day, it's especially challenging for them!
As if the shear number of drugs weren't enough to deal with, there's an additional problem added to that scenario. The dosages and the drugs will change frequently in the first few months after surgery until the doctor finds the right combination and blood level balance to get the best outcome. It truly amazes me to think that anyone could successfully handle all of that with nothing more than a paper schedule and a will to live!
That daunting "life or death" need for compliance served as the motivation for my developing OnTimeRx reminder software in the first place. We have many devoted users of OnTimeRx software, who are transplant recipients, and I hear from them frequently.
A new OTRx user, with a new heart on 11/11/08, wrote me this week to say:
After my transplant I was not looking forward to having to type in all my new medical information on my tiny Phone keyboard, so I was very excited to find that there was a Windows version that can swap information back and forth. Especially since my meds keep changing (I certainly must be driving my Pharmacist and my Insurance company Nuts). I had 4 changes alone this week.
By the way when I take my Medication lists into the hospital with me (For my Biopsies). The list has received rave reviews, with the Nurses and doctors saying they wished more patients had this.
As a pharmacist and the OTRx designer, this is very rewarding but also very frustrating at the same time. I also wish more patients were using OnTimeRx so there would be more organs to go around for the 50- or 60-thousand people on the Transplant Waiting Lists.
Where are the drug companies who make the medications that keep these people alive? Why don't they provide this simple compliance tool as an incentive to keep patients alive? How do I get this message out?
On TV, patients are constantly being told to "Ask your doctor if this drug is "right for you"?...
Each transplant patient needs to start asking if all of these drugs are right for me, why can't I get OnTimeRx reminders to help me manage everything? The cost is so little and the rewards can be so great!
Talk to your doctor about OnTimeRx and ask him or her to talk to their drug company representatives, many of whom have "disposable funds" to use for less worthy projects than this.
Let's create some "buzz", people! Maybe we can get more people to sign the Organ Donor cards and while they're at it, even help people protect those precious organs - by talking about OnTimeRx which will enable them to improve medication compliance.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Who needs High-Tech?
When it comes to managing a bunch of pills every day... Simpler is better! There were some high-tech dispensing devices shown at CES, but "One size never fits all". When you consider the complexity and cost of those high-tech dispensing devices, y
A "low-tech" system is all most people need to manage even the most complicated drug regimen. This pill box-reminder combination comes in all "flavors" and sizes now, and they work very well together - no batteries or electricity needed.
For the automated medication reminders, take a look at OnTimeRx. Please... Try before You Buy - Free trials of all software and services let each caregiver decide if these reminders will help.
I'm the pharmacist and developer of OnTimeRx software and reminder services. OnTimeRx has been available since 2000 for Palm and PocketPC, and a version for Windows XP or
Microsoft selected OnTimeRx-Windows for their HP/Vista "SeniorPC" systems available through enablemart.com because OTRx-Win works great as a stand-alone reminder program for home-bound patients or it can be installed and used on a computer at work. All caregivers should know about these reminder tools and give them a try, just to see how helpful this kind of computer technology can be.
From my own experiences with hospice, I know that being a caregiver or home health aide can be very stressful. It makes a major difference when you're well-organized. So why not let computers remember all of these things and help everyone to stay on track and !?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Care Bears or Care Barriers?
What if Granny lives alone and starts needing help with daily activities? How do you handle it?
OnTimeRx automated reminders can be a wonderful solution as long as all parties "buy into" the process and there are no "surprises".
It is normal to be concerned when certain things start to slip, but It can get pretty tricky providing for the care needs of a senior without seeming to meddle or take over. The health and well-being of a parent may be your responsibility now, but most parents prefer to remain very independent and want everything to stay just the way it's always been.
Here's 3 things you should NOT do:
1. Don't ask her if she knows she's missing some of her pills. This puts her on the defensive right away, and she will probably deny that this ever happens or that it is a real problem.
2. Don't count the pills out in front of her to prove that there are too many left. Even though her prescriptions are lasting too long and it's quite obvious, this will tend to be demeaning.
3. Don't simply start sending reminder phone calls without her permission. It's not a good idea to surprise anyone with automated calls. They may get even more confused and wonder why this strange person is calling everyday.
So what can you do? Here's 4 things that should help::
1. Do pay her a sincere compliment. Tell her how much you appreciate all she's done for you in the past and ask how she managed to take such good care of the family all those years. Listen - actively and quietly. There may be some real gems in her answer.
2. Do ask her if there's anything you can do now that might make it easier for her at this stage in life? Turn about is fair play! This may also reveal some issues you might not have considered.
3. Do discuss her daily routine and find out which activities she really enjoys. If there are some that are a problem, ask what might make it better.
4. Do ask if she would be willing to help you eliminate some your daily stresses. Explain that you've found a very simple phone service that helps you stay organized, and ask if she'd like to try it, too. Explain that the calls are automated and it relieves you from "clock-watching" to get things done. Suggest trying the calls for a few days to see if a reminder might help her routine, too. If she mentions reminders for medications, GREAT! (But don't count on it...)
Several family caregivers have found that OnTimeRx reminders work well for non-medication related daily activities.
Example #1: One very socially active gentleman lives alone and likes to go out dancing every evening. He takes a nap in the afternoon and sometimes he sleeps so soundly that he would miss his "dancing date". Not only was this disappointing to his dancing partners, it thoroughly messed up his evening. So his daughter scheduled a wake-up call every afternoon that says: "Nap time is over, Dad! It's time to go dancing. Have a great evening."
Example #2: A lady living in an assisted living facility was frequently missing her mealtimes. The family paid for a full meal plan, but Mother often didn't get down to the dining room in time to eat. The daughter asked for her help. Because Mother was from the "Depression era", the daughter knew she didn't like the idea that food was being paid for and wasted, so she agreed to get a daily call at mealtimes and hasn't missed a meal since, and she's actually put on some needed weight in the process. Win-Win!
OnTimeRx automated reminders can be a wonderful solution as long as all parties "buy into" the process and there are no "surprises".
It is normal to be concerned when certain things start to slip, but It can get pretty tricky providing for the care needs of a senior without seeming to meddle or take over. The health and well-being of a parent may be your responsibility now, but most parents prefer to remain very independent and want everything to stay just the way it's always been.
Here's 3 things you should NOT do:
1. Don't ask her if she knows she's missing some of her pills. This puts her on the defensive right away, and she will probably deny that this ever happens or that it is a real problem.
2. Don't count the pills out in front of her to prove that there are too many left. Even though her prescriptions are lasting too long and it's quite obvious, this will tend to be demeaning.
3. Don't simply start sending reminder phone calls without her permission. It's not a good idea to surprise anyone with automated calls. They may get even more confused and wonder why this strange person is calling everyday.
So what can you do? Here's 4 things that should help::
1. Do pay her a sincere compliment. Tell her how much you appreciate all she's done for you in the past and ask how she managed to take such good care of the family all those years. Listen - actively and quietly. There may be some real gems in her answer.
2. Do ask her if there's anything you can do now that might make it easier for her at this stage in life? Turn about is fair play! This may also reveal some issues you might not have considered.
3. Do discuss her daily routine and find out which activities she really enjoys. If there are some that are a problem, ask what might make it better.
4. Do ask if she would be willing to help you eliminate some your daily stresses. Explain that you've found a very simple phone service that helps you stay organized, and ask if she'd like to try it, too. Explain that the calls are automated and it relieves you from "clock-watching" to get things done. Suggest trying the calls for a few days to see if a reminder might help her routine, too. If she mentions reminders for medications, GREAT! (But don't count on it...)
Several family caregivers have found that OnTimeRx reminders work well for non-medication related daily activities.
Example #1: One very socially active gentleman lives alone and likes to go out dancing every evening. He takes a nap in the afternoon and sometimes he sleeps so soundly that he would miss his "dancing date". Not only was this disappointing to his dancing partners, it thoroughly messed up his evening. So his daughter scheduled a wake-up call every afternoon that says: "Nap time is over, Dad! It's time to go dancing. Have a great evening."
Example #2: A lady living in an assisted living facility was frequently missing her mealtimes. The family paid for a full meal plan, but Mother often didn't get down to the dining room in time to eat. The daughter asked for her help. Because Mother was from the "Depression era", the daughter knew she didn't like the idea that food was being paid for and wasted, so she agreed to get a daily call at mealtimes and hasn't missed a meal since, and she's actually put on some needed weight in the process. Win-Win!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Don't Remind Me!
"When I forget something, don't remind me. It just proves that you think I'm getting old!"
A lot of people will flatly deny they need reminders. For some reason they think that's the same as admitting they're too old and forgetful to manage anything on their own. But that's far from the truth...
This is NOT - I repeat - NOT an age-related problem. Everyone needs help remembering to do things... I'm no exception, and neither are most of the people who may read this blog. I'm on a mission to help folks stop worrying and learn to "Fuggedaboutit!!!"
By learning to use some of the many reminder tools that are available, you can consider yourself "older, bud-wiser" for doing so. No more clock-watching, no more missed appointments, no more missed medications. It's actually quite easy to get your act together - at last!
I find that I'm much less stressed when I've assigned the task of remembering everything to a reliable computer. Those reminders are timely and non-judgemental, so I never mind being told what to do and when. (I've never lied to you before, why would I start now?)
I'm actually very proud of our products and services, so here's the shameless self-promotion part:
Please take a look at the simple software programs and reminder services available from OnTimeRx. These programs are patient-focused and user-friendly and were specifically designed to be simple to set up and a pleasure to use. With over 12 years of responding to user suggestions and requests for enhancements, OnTimeRx now addresses every possible scheduling need and reminder option.
We started out in 2000 with the Palm version, and quickly heard from numerous PocketPC users, who wanted the same program for their PDAs. The PocketPC version was launched in 2005, and then a desktop version for Windows XP and Vista PCs later that year. Now we're developing a version for the ubiquitous BlackBerry, and who knows... maybe even one for the iPhone some day.
Don't just take my word for it. Read the Testimonials and then test it for yourself. Try it - you'll like it!
A lot of people will flatly deny they need reminders. For some reason they think that's the same as admitting they're too old and forgetful to manage anything on their own. But that's far from the truth...
This is NOT - I repeat - NOT an age-related problem. Everyone needs help remembering to do things... I'm no exception, and neither are most of the people who may read this blog. I'm on a mission to help folks stop worrying and learn to "Fuggedaboutit!!!"
By learning to use some of the many reminder tools that are available, you can consider yourself "older, bud-wiser" for doing so. No more clock-watching, no more missed appointments, no more missed medications. It's actually quite easy to get your act together - at last!
I find that I'm much less stressed when I've assigned the task of remembering everything to a reliable computer. Those reminders are timely and non-judgemental, so I never mind being told what to do and when. (I've never lied to you before, why would I start now?)
I'm actually very proud of our products and services, so here's the shameless self-promotion part:
Please take a look at the simple software programs and reminder services available from OnTimeRx. These programs are patient-focused and user-friendly and were specifically designed to be simple to set up and a pleasure to use. With over 12 years of responding to user suggestions and requests for enhancements, OnTimeRx now addresses every possible scheduling need and reminder option.
We started out in 2000 with the Palm version, and quickly heard from numerous PocketPC users, who wanted the same program for their PDAs. The PocketPC version was launched in 2005, and then a desktop version for Windows XP and Vista PCs later that year. Now we're developing a version for the ubiquitous BlackBerry, and who knows... maybe even one for the iPhone some day.
Don't just take my word for it. Read the Testimonials and then test it for yourself. Try it - you'll like it!
Just remember... Easier said than done!
After starting many blogs over the past couple of years, I still have trouble remembering to add content on a timely basis. This is truly odd, when you consider that everything I do is related to time and reminders. I should set a reminder to blog daily or weekly, right? OK, don't mind if I do...
A little background on why this subject is so important to me...
For 18 years I was the Director of Pharmacy Services at a 400-bed skilled care nursing facility in Orlando, FL. It was such a caring place and was so wonderfully managed, the whole experience was delightful and very rewarding. We received a superior-rating every year, and I used to tell people that we had such a long waiting list that I already had my name on the list. That way a bed might be available for me by the time I needed it. (I was only semi-joking.) However, as the years ticked by, the facility changed hands several times and I have since "unsubscribed" from that list.
As a semi-retired pharmacist, I have devoted my second career to helping people stay out of nursing homes and remain independent as long as possible.
Over a decade ago, I started my own company and became the developer of OnTimeRx, a software program that provides reminders for medications and anything else users might need to remember.
A little background on why this subject is so important to me...
For 18 years I was the Director of Pharmacy Services at a 400-bed skilled care nursing facility in Orlando, FL. It was such a caring place and was so wonderfully managed, the whole experience was delightful and very rewarding. We received a superior-rating every year, and I used to tell people that we had such a long waiting list that I already had my name on the list. That way a bed might be available for me by the time I needed it. (I was only semi-joking.) However, as the years ticked by, the facility changed hands several times and I have since "unsubscribed" from that list.
As a semi-retired pharmacist, I have devoted my second career to helping people stay out of nursing homes and remain independent as long as possible.
Over a decade ago, I started my own company and became the developer of OnTimeRx, a software program that provides reminders for medications and anything else users might need to remember.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
