Showing posts with label assistive devices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label assistive devices. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Presto + OnTimeRx = Another Great Combo!

On June 27th, I blogged about the senior-focused Jitterbug cell phone and described how it could be used very effectively with automated OnTimeRx reminders to improve medication adherence. Turns out, there is another simple senior-focused system that works very well with OnTimeRx.

The Presto system is nothing more than a printer that is connected to an ordinary phone line. It receives email and prints it out at pre-selected times - up to five times daily.

Here’s how one OnTimeRx subscriber/caregiver utilizes this combination for her mother:


Mom lives alone and has never used a computer, nor does she want one. However, she is happy to get twice daily medication reminder calls on her regular home phone. The automated phone reminders were set up and managed by her daughter, who is very determined to help her mom stay independent.


She will do whatever it takes to get the job done, and that's why she bought the Presto machine and service. She utilizes it to provide automated OnTimeRx email reminders as an additional “hard copy backup" for the automated phone calls. (A little extra insurance is always a good idea.)


We all know that interruptions can occur, and if Mom doesn’t take her pills as soon as she hangs up the phone, it’s easy to forget to do it later. The daughter has the Presto machine scheduled to print out emails twice daily about 30 minutes after the phone reminders.

This two-pronged system serves two purposes.

1) The email print out provides an additional reminder – sort of like a snooze for the phone calls.

2) The printout can serve to document that Mom actually took her pills, because she jots down the time when she's done.

This documentation also reassures the daughter that her mother is, in fact, doing what she’s supposed to, when she’s supposed to.

Everyone is less stressed and the desired objective is met – to enable Mom to continue living on her own.


Saturday, February 28, 2009

Medication Management on a Netbook

One of the presenters at the Silvers Summit at the January 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, was Michael Takemura, HP, Director of Accessibility & Aging Program.

This Summit was a special Senior-focused part of the CES tradeshow, that showcased the products and services that keep older adults engaged, entertained, connected, and healthy. Michael talked about the Microsoft/HP/ Senior PC offering
(around 3:50 minutes into his video#2) and OnTimeRx was the "prescription reminder software" that he briefly mentioned. Michael also showcased OnTimeRx software in the HP exhibit and says it went over well.

He also talked about the new new HP mini 1000 Netbook, and this little gem has tremendous potential for older patients, who prefer to age in place.


Let me tell you why...


Back in the early days of hand held computers, PDAs were mainly used as organizers, but I always knew they made great
assistive devices with OnTimeRx software onboard. Unfortunately, this technology and OnTimeRx software was about 10-15 years ahead of its time!

People are just now beginning to realize that Palms can do amazing things... just as Palm Corporation decides to stop making any more Palm OS devices!! However, there are over 40 million Palm devices out there somewhere (probably in desk drawers/deader than a doornail) but they could still be put to use as a reliable medication reminder.

But
, as my son always says, I dye grass...

Say Hello to
the adorable Netbook! This is the new "darling" in personal computing and for only $300-$400, I'm extremely excited about the amazing array of things it can do for seniors and their caregivers.

With an Internet connection in the Senior's home, the Netbook can be used to send and receive email, surf the Web, do online shopping, and basically stay in touch with the family through social networks like Twitter.


With a PCAnywhere type program installed, a family member can access the Netbook to check on compliance or change a medication schedule, and provide "tech support" remotely. It's almost as good as being there.


I'll tell you more things you can do with a Netbook, after I learn my way around a bit more.


...Stay tuned!