Palm OS - R.I.P. (Or... Reincarnation In Progress?)
As a Palm software developer, I've been greatly distressed by the demise of Palm OS. This is the trusted and reliable platform that made so many hand held devices do such marvelous things for nearly a decade.
Well, my friends, there is hope. I have just been informed that OnTimeRx software has been Certified for Compatibility by MotionApps and it will be able to run on the new Palm Pre (a webOS smartphone - launch date- June 6, 2009).
From the FAQ on MotionApps site:
Q: How can I install Palm OS app in Classic (on Pre)?
A: The installation of Palm OS apps is as straight forward as this:
Connect your Pre device with your PC using USB cable
Mount Pre device as USB drive
Navigate to ClassicApps folder
Copy .prc/.pdb file in the folder
Unmount Pre and start Classic
The application will be installed and ready for running
That sounds simple enough and is very good news indeed!!!
I am one of those passionate Palm-users who has bought and used many helpful and entertaining software programs over the years; and now it looks like I'll be able to continue to use them on this new operating system. I sure hope this Classic application/Palm OS emulator lives up to the hype, because it will really be one step backward and many, many steps forward into the future of hand help computing.
The Obama White House is using technology to gather public opinion on what's needed for changing Health Care for all Americans. I posted my opinion and my solution online yesterday.
Medication noncompliance is costing the US over $200 billion annually. It is also one of the primary reasons that thousands of Americans wind up in hospitals, emergency rooms, and ultimately in nursing homes.
After serving as Director of Pharmacy Services for 18 years in a 400+bed skilled care nursing facility, I left active pharmacy practice in 1996 to develop simple, affordable technology-based tools to help patients manage medications effectively and reduce some of this unnecessary expense. My company is 100% self-funded and totally dedicated to helping Americans maintain their independence and achieve a much higher level of medication adherence than the current 50%.
Interestingly, there is no need to wait until a totally integrated health care and information system is in place. Our simple stand-alone solution can save millions of health care dollars right now. Provide patients the tools and technology to better manage their own care and everyone will save money in the process.
My suggestion is that inexpensive existing technology solutions should be considered when looking for affordable ways to reform health care. OnTimeRx is a mature, feature-rich medication reminder software program that works on multiple devices: Palm, PocketPC, and Windows Mobile hand-held computers and smartphones, Windows XP and Vista, and now on the BlackBerry smartphone. This reminder solution was launched on the Internet in 2000, and at that time, it was "ahead of its time". Even so, there are thousands of users worldwide who are now able to manage the most complex medication regimens easily.
This reminder software is patient-focused, extremely intuitive, and users of all ages are quite capable of utilizing it on their own. VA Caseworkers have purchased OnTimeRx software, and the necessary hardware, for several VA patients over the years. This is an especially helpful tool for VA patients with traumatic brain injuries, ADHD, and other memory problems. For only a small one-time purchase ($22.95 or $34.95/patient) a practical investment in patient-centric healthcare reform could provide a measurable ROI. This same helpful medication manager works for patients of all types and ages, many of whom are struggling daily to follow their doctor's orders. By empowering hundreds of thousands more patients with the tools to successfully manage their own medications, many of them could avoid going to nursing homes - a far more expensive alternative to home health care and aging in place.
As I continue to age, I am using more health care services; but I can personally attest to the value of using technology to manage and maintain my own health. I invite the White House Forum on Health Reform to take a close look at this very affordable option.
One final thought: The single-payer system is getting a lot of attention lately, and it is definitely needed to facilitate the economical delivery of medications. This would allow pharmacists to get back to being pharmacists instead of insurance claims processors. By adequately reimbursing pharmacists to deliver Medication Therapy Management services and patient counseling, health reform can elevate the practice of pharmacy to expand its role in providing better preventive care, which results in major savings in the long term. When pharmacists can concentrate on helping patients achieve medication compliance and better therapeutic outcomes, instead of chasing after insurance reimbursement, the entire health care system will be healthier.
That's true for panty-hose and it's especially true for IT solutions in the health care arena. There is no single solution for all that ails this industry, but some of us small vendors are trying to make a difference in small ways.
Thanks to Laurie Orlov @AgingTech on Twitter, I just learned that OnTimeRx was mentioned in Charles King's very prestigious Pund-IT Weekly Review, which offers unique insights on specific events affecting the IT industry and community.
Laurie Orlov was a guest analyst in the May 13, 09 issue dealing with technology solutions for aging in place, and OnTimeRx.com was mentioned as “The Prescription for Taking Medicine on Time”.
·Tech Vendors and the Aging in Place Market—Trying to Make a Difference By Laurie Orlov, Aging in Place Technology Watch
“As I try to make sense out of the aging in place technology market, new companies (or companies new to me) regularly surface. The following companies are all launched (or in beta) but are perhaps not well known in the marketplace as they could and should be. Here are some of them you should bookmark— all valuable solutions for boomers and seniors in need of improving technology access, personal experience or medical care…”
This obviously is my favorite part of her contribution:
• OnTimeRx – This vendor has been around for a while in the medication reminder space,but it is always worth thinking about in the context of the range of solutions required forthis complex problem. Medication non-compliance is one of those thorny issues that getslots of talk, many offerings, few of them light-weight (that is, without containers for thepills themselves). This company says it provides "the prescription for taking medicine ontime"). It works on smart phones or can operate directly from a web-based portal to yourcell or landline phone. Consumer. Learn more at: www.ontimerx.com.
Microsoft was also mentioned in this Review and - as big as they are - they don't have all the answers either. Apparently Bill Gates feels this seniors market is being under served; and in fact, Microsoft contacted my "little ol' software company" a couple of years ago. Now OnTimeRx for Windows (our desktop medication manager program) is included in all of their "SeniorPC" computer offerings, which are specifically geared for the senior and boomer market. There is a big promotion planned soon for the Senior PC to reach this market in the UK, too. OnTimeRx will be included in those systems as well.
It's really nice to be noticed and invited to the party by the Big Guys. Solutions for Aging in place technology... IT may really be a Small World After All.
"Do you have a video demo for our products and services?" People frequently ask us that question and up until now, I've always had to "just say - No"!
It always felt like it would be too expensive to develop a video, but that was before YouTube exploded onto the scene. I have a webcam on my new HP mini 1000 Netbook now, and have been thinking about giving it a go, but am not sure how to make it look good enough for "prime time". It's important to always make a good first impression - and all that... But "he/she who hesitates..." loses out on a lot of opportunities these days.
Not being a programmer myself is both a good and a bad thing.
It's Good that I don't have my poor old brain overloaded with all that strange code jargon. But it's Bad that I don't know how to do some of this stuff for myself. Even though I'm a dyed-in-the wool "Do-It-Yourselfer", I have to pay others to do my programming and solve some of the problems for me or I have to rely on "the kindness of strangers" to help with Open Source solutions.
One of those stranger- solutions just came to my attention recently, and it's called CamStudio. I haven't installed the application yet; but already I know it's going to be a HUGE help. As a result, this blog piece will be just a bit short on details so I can get started on my latest learning adventure.
This is sure to be quite exciting and hopefully, it will help me eliminate some of the same tech support questions that OnTimeRx customers frequently ask. Guess that's why they call 'em FAQs...
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what's a demo video worth? We'll soon see. IMHO - PRICELESS!!!
The weather is perfect for WES, Wireless Enterprise Symposium 2009, which is currently on in Orlando.
It's the world's largest meeting of its kind for BlackBerry users of all "makes and models" - from major enterprises to the individual BB device owner. They've all come to Orlando to compare notes, learn new techniques, and check out the latest developments from RIM.
As a developer of OnTimeRx for BlackBerry, I was very excited about attending at least a part of this symposium, to connect with lots of other health care vendors in the wireless world and scores of pill-taking BB users... especially since it's being held right in my backyard. Unfortunately, plans changed at the last minute and I was not able to attend the first day. However, I did get out to the Orlando World Center Marriott & Convention Center on Wednesday, May 6th, and met with a couple of representatives from BlackBerryChicks, a relatively new website devoted to women who use BlackBerry devices. I really enjoyed meeting them and sharing ideas for marketing my medication reminder for the BB - especially since I just happen to be a woman developer and a BB-user myself. Guess that officially makes me a "BlackBerryChick", too.
I left a stack of my cards and am hoping that lots of people will go to my website and sign up to be notified when we launch OnTimeRx for BlackBerry. Hopefully, that will happen by the end of the month!!!
Caring for older family members can be extremely challenging and exhausting. Anyone who has ever tried to take care of an Alzheimer's patient will know what I'm talking about. It's difficult to get any rest yourself - and if and when you do sleep, you're probably dreaming about it.
I was the pharmacist in a wonderful long term care facility for 18 years. During my rounds on the floors in this 400-bed skilled care facility, I observed many of these patients over the years. I saw how difficult it was for our entire staff to care for them - even with all of their specialized training and equipment. While it's a noble and loving undertaking, I never understood how families could ever manage this kind of care in a home. It can be totally draining - both physically and financially. At some point it's kinder for all concerned to seriously consider assisted living or long term care - without feeling guilty.
Alzheimer's robs people of their memory in a backward regression. Several patients who had played the piano in their younger days, could still play an entire classical piece from memory, but they could not tell you what they had for lunch 5 minutes ago... or even if they had lunch at all. The older memories seem to be safely embedded in the deepest part of the brain, but recent events just bounce off the surface like water off a duck's back or a little like peeling away layers of an onion. (and both can make you cry...)
Families would often come into the pharmacy asking about some drug that they had seen on TV. These people were desperately looking for something... anything that would help their loved ones. Unfortunately, I had to tell them in all honesty, not to waste their money. True, there are drugs that are promoted for slowing the progress of the disease, but from my observations, they gave the family a little hope but did very little, if anything to help the patient.
To better understand what is happening, I would describe some very basic truths about aging, which seemed to explain a lot - about older people - and especially Alzheimer's patients:
As people age, all of the 5 senses will diminish over time.
"Sight" and "hearing" are usually the first to decline, which can severely limit mobility. If you can't see and you can't hear, it's difficult to get around on your own, and even the simple pastime of watching TV becomes a bother. This lack of freedom increases feelings of isolation and can cause depression and anxiety. It is even more troubling for Alzheimer's patients. When it starts to get dark outside, these patients often realize they're not where they should be (at home or in a familiar place) and they panic because they can't remember where home is. This is called: the Sundown Syndrome. I imagine this is what it would be like having amnesia.
When we lose our sense of "smell", it also affects our sense of "taste", which explains why most older people have lost their appetite.Familiar foods just don't smell or taste good - so why bother?They forget to eat and drink. Poor nutrition will lead to a rapid decline in health, and that's why it's important to provide daily vitamins to supplement the nutritional deficiencies and offer frequent glasses of water to avoid dehydration. These patients simply forget to drink water, because they don't remember what it means to be thirsty or what to do about it.
Interestingly, the sense of "touch" is the last to go.A hug, a kiss, a pat on the hand will still reach patients who may no longer even recognize family members or caregivers.
A gentle touch is the most positive and effective way to connect and provide real "TLC" when little else works. And best of all - both patient and caregiver will benefit from this type of "physical therapy" and everyone can afford it. So dispense it in big doses - as needed.
A smile never goes out of style, so wear one all the time - you may find that they're highly contagious!
Reminders can be a major stress-reliever. This blog explains when, why, and how to use reminders successfully with OnTimeRx software and automated reminder services. If you're like most people , you know it is NOT easy to take medications routinely and stay on a regular schedule!
WELCOME! This blog is for you... I will share practical suggestions and effective tools, based on my years of experience as a pharmacist.
