1) Help observe proper hygiene
Physically demonstrating hand washing is essential but try to avoid reiterating it too much as this can cause unnecessary stress which can be counter-productive. For the best results, set up a schedule for hand washing, wherein you accompany them until they feel comfortable doing it on their own. Putting up visual or written instructions by the sink can also help, especially when you’re asking them to remember to wash their hands for 20 seconds. Moreover, keep alcohol-based sanitisers accessible throughout the home, as this provides an additional reminder.
2) Know the signs of increased confusion and handle it effectively
Dementia may render them unable to fully comprehend the situation and so increase levels of confusion. Don’t shut them away from the pandemic but try to explain it in relatable terms instead. This still depends on the onset of the disease, of course, but make sure to explain the COVID-19 in a context that they understand. Even if the conversation results in nothing, stay calm and reassuring.
3) Create workable schedules
In an unprecedented time of frustration and panic, it’s important to create a routine that works best for both of you. Spend the morning going on walks around the house, especially in areas where the sun is present. Make sure that meals are taken timely and in adequate amounts, as with their medications—timely intake of pills is integral for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Make sure that they take baths as necessary and reiterate the need for handwashing. To ensure that their moods remain stable, look for activities that will keep them well occupied. It can be as simple as tending to the garden, folding clothes or reading, so long as you remain by their side.
4) Take good care for yourself
As a caregiver, you need to take good care of yourself, too! This is a time of stress and anxiety, so keep yourself as healthy and functional as possible. Ask someone else to take over so you can take necessary breaks—the risk of burnout is real, as with compassion fatigue. The pandemic continues to ripple across the world and no one knows how long it will last and the repercussions it will leave. To stay well and committed, you need to be aware of your stress levels and anxiety, as people with Alzheimer’s tend to pick up on your emotions. This will likely increase confusion and trigger attacks. To manage anxiety, keep exposure to the news at minimum, and keep away from social media. Instead, focus on being present with the task at hand and rest as necessary.
The Takeaway
Dealing with crises can be challenging, especially for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. With careful attention and planning to the unique needs of those in need of care, you will be more empowered to respond appropriately and quickly to address any issues that may arise.
Staying at your best can be difficult, so you must find “care companions”. These could be other people or even devices, so long as they help make those receiving care feel better and well cared for. An automatic pill dispenser for your loved ones with Alzheimer’s for instance, can be a good option. Get yours now with us, we provide free express UK shipping on orders over £50!
]]>To learn more about how to provide better care for your loved one with dementia, consider following the suggestions below:
1. Educate yourself about dementia
Equip yourself with knowledge about dementia and its progression. This way, you can empathise with and understand your loved one better. The more you learn, the more you’ll also be able to improve the quality of care that you provide.
2. Establish schedules and routines
It’s important to set schedules for any loved ones suffering from dementia. This will help them get used to a routine, reducing the confusion and frustration they may experience from day-to-day activities.
3. Prepare healthy and balanced meals
According to studies, those suffering from dementia often have poor nutrition. You may find that you need to take on the responsibility of preparing healthy and tasty meals and ensuring that they receive the nutrients that their body needs. Not only will this boost their health, but it may also assist with some behavioural issues.
4. Find time for daily physical exercise
Take good care of your health by setting a scheduled time for exercise every day. If possible, have your loved one join you. Spending time through physical exercise is a great way to get healthy and create special memories. You’d be surprised to see what a good walk can do.
5. Make sure your loved one takes their medications on time
To manage the symptoms of the disease and help your loved one cope better, ensure that they take their medications on schedule. Some ways to accomplish this effectively are by creating a current list of medications and their dosages as well as keeping the medications inside a pillbox.
6. Have some fun with your loved one
While the disease might add some complications, your loved one still can (and should!) go on trips to have some fun. Take them to museums, parks, zoos, and other elderly-friendly places and attractions. If possible, give them independence and some time to enjoy their own company.
7. Seek help from your family members when needed
Being a caregiver to your loved one with dementia is understandably overwhelming. So do not be afraid to ask for support from your family members and other loved ones when you need their help.
8. Take good care of yourself
Caregiving is a major responsibility. Therefore, every time you feel overwhelmed, take deep breaths and remind yourself that you are doing a great job. You need to understand that you can only do so much and that you should acknowledge your emotional and physical limitations.
To avoid experiencing caregiver burnout, make sure to take breaks and give yourself some personal time to be alone. You can also join a caregiver support group.
9. Dementia doesn’t mean the end of everything
While dementia has serious impacts on your loved one’s memory and personality it’s still possible to make some new memories. Remember that your loved one is more than the disease. Therefore, you should take advantage of the time to create precious memories with them. Cherish every moment that you have with them as much as possible.
Conclusion
Caregiving is a frustrating, yet fulfilling journey. Although this can be challenging and even devastating at times, being able to become the hands, feet, and mind of your loved one struggling with dementia is truly remarkable.
When times get tough, remember that your loved one is not changing—their disease is progressing. To manage the symptoms more effectively, make sure to keep them healthy and that they take their medications in a pillbox regularly.
If you’re looking for a high-quality pillbox to make medicine time easier, shop at our store and feel free to reach out to us to learn more about our products.
]]>One major problem is how a person with Alzheimer’s disease tends to forget his or her medications. If you have a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, you can help your loved one manage his or her medication for Alzheimer’s in the comfort of their home.
Read on to learn more about managing medication for Alzheimer’s disease:
Three Types of Medications
Before we go into managing medications, let’s go first into the three types of medication:
Top Tips for Managing Medications
Now that we’ve identified the basic types of medication, let’s get into the actual management of your loved one’s medications. Here are some top tips:
Safety Steps to Take for Medication Management
There are also a few safety steps to take when managing the medications for your loved one’s condition:
Conclusion
Managing the medications of your loved ones for Alzheimer’s disease can be a difficult task. However, if you consider some of the valuable tips outlined above, the process should go smoothly. Just remember, now more than ever is the best time to show your love and care for your loved one!
Never forget your medication again! We provide a wide range of products for people with ailments that require regular medication. If you’re looking to purchase medication accessories such as automatic pill dispensers, get in touch with us to see how we can help!
]]>If you're worried that a loved one or someone you know has dementia, you should encourage them to see a doctor. Before you make the suggestion, however, you should give it some serious thought. It would be best if you first try to pick up some signs that they're indeed experiencing the early symptoms of dementia.
Be aware of the signs of dementia
Forgetfulness is not the only indication that someone may have dementia. Everyone experiences it, and it's not something to be seen as abnormal. A person usually needs to show at least two types of impairment that interfere with their everyday activities.
Here are some signs that you should be on the lookout for:
Consult with family and friends
If you think that your loved one has dementia, check in with others who are also close to them to confirm your suspicions. Be sure to do it in a respectful manner to avoid hurt or embarrassment. Remember that your main objective is verifying if others have made similar observations and not spread rumours or gossip that may hurt the person in question.
Encourage your loved one to see a doctor
If you've noticed that your loved one is showing symptoms of dementia, the next step is to encourage them to see a physician for a proper assessment. Talking to them about the changes you've observed may be difficult, so it's crucial to create a safe space where both of you are comfortable and can speak your thoughts freely.
You may start by talking about the things you've noticed, like instances where they had trouble with their memory. You may ask them if it's due to stress or sleep deprivation. You can then squeeze in that it may be time to consult a doctor just to see what's happening.
If you're not particularly close to the person, you may direct it to someone who knows them well. Tell that person your observations and find out if they've noticed the same things. They may be more willing to see a doctor once you've spoken to them about their symptoms, especially if they themselves have noticed the changes as well.
You also have to be prepared to receive a negative reaction. Some may be hesitant to see a doctor because they are worried and scared, which is a natural reaction. If the person does have dementia, their condition deters them from recognising the changes in themselves, resulting in their refusal to consult with a physician. Should they remain hesitant, you can find a different reason to encourage them to see a doctor, like a routine physical checkup.
Conclusion
The best thing you can do for your loved one who has dementia is to offer your support and assistance. You can help them book their appointment and even accompany them. You can also aid them in their everyday routine, like reminding them to take their medication and completing essential tasks.
When they need to take medications, automatic dispensers and alarms can help them. Visit TabTime today and browse through our range of products. Contact us to learn more!
]]>Older people, can be more prone to deviating from their medication schedules. There are several reasons why an elderly loved one may deviate from their course. If you are taking care of someone, here are some ways to help them stick with their schedule.
1. Help them understand why they must take the medicine
An older person might be consciously avoiding their medication. This is because they might not know why they are taking a certain pill or capsule. They might be unsure it is working; for example, an anti-platelet drug that slows the formation of blood clots would not have observable effects. However, it prevents those with cardiovascular issues from having heart attacks.
Make sure they understand what each drug is for. Communicate in clear, easy to understand terms, and highlight what each one does for your loved one’s wellbeing. If they experience side effects when taking the drug it makes it more likely they’ll carry on taking the course of medication.
2. Print out the daily medication routine in large font
Your loved one might be forgetting to take their medicine because the steps are convoluted. People get more conditions over time, so older people have increasingly complex daily schedules.
They would need to take multiple pills and capsules, at different hours of the day, which can be taxing on their memory. Help them by printing their schedule out for them and hanging these over places in the home they frequent.
3. Get the tools to help them remember
Aside from making signs to help them remember to take their medicine, you can also get a pill organiser that doubles as a memory device. A product like the TabTime Super 8, for example, is a pill box with alarm that has room for eight reminders a day. It also has a magnetic opening which makes it easy for people with weak fingers to snap it open.
Another helpful product is the TabTime Vibe, which can handle up to five doses a day. It vibrates and plays audio when a dose comes up, making it a good choice for people who have compromised vision.
4. Show them that their health matters
Aside from giving practical support, it is important to keep giving your loved one emotional support as well. Having a chronic condition can take a toll on someone’s mental health. It can bring feelings of worthlessness, anxiety about the future, and guilt about how much time and effort at-home care takes.
Reassuring them and encouraging them to catch up with friends will help your loved one through this time. When they are happy and keeping socially active, they are more likely to be proactive about their medication and health.
Conclusion
Taking a complete course of medicine is important in ensuring its effectiveness, but older people sometimes need reminding about their medication. Give them the care they need by following a few simple guidelines, like printing the schedule and explaining why they need to take certain pills. Getting them a pill dispenser or pill box with alarm will also help them stay on schedule.
If you are looking for a locked timed pill box or any other product to help, get in touch with us today. We have many products that help with medication management and each has a 12-month warranty.
]]>For the medication to work optimally, it must be ingested regularly as prescribed by your doctor. Missing a dose can mean the symptom-controlling benefits of the drug are lost.
2. It might take a while for symptoms to dissipate again
Once the patient is able to get back on the medication, it could take a long time before any relief is felt. Symptoms like impaired movement and uncontrolled tremors could put them in great discomfort.
What to do in the event that you miss a dose
In case you do miss a dose, take your medication as soon as you remember to do so. However, do not under any circumstance double up on the dosage as a way to make up for the one you missed.
Additionally, if you are taking multiple doses in one day, adjust the time of your next dose to accommodate for the change in schedule. Taking the next dose too soon puts you at a greater risk of experiencing negative side-effects like nausea or an upset stomach.
Finally, be prepared that your symptoms might resurface due to the missed dose.
How to ensure that missing a dose never becomes a problem
You have several ways to make sure that you never forget to take your medication at the right time. First and foremost, communicate to those living with you what your dosing schedule is. This way, they can help remind you whenever the time comes.
Additionally, remember to always have your medications handy. Keep them close by or find a specific location where you can put them away to minimize the risk of misplacing them. If you get into a situation wherein you might not have access to your drugs, such as getting admitted into a hospital, inform medical staff or your doctor about your condition so that they may tend to your needs.
You could also try a pill box like the TabTime Super 8 which is endorsed by the German Parkinson’s Association. This pill box has been designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s, with an easy to open magnetic catch and features eight audio and visual alarms to remind you to not miss a dose.
If you are looking for medication management products to help you or your loved one stay on top of their treatment, visit our site today. We provide pillboxes that are fitted with an adjustable alarm, automatic pill dispensers, and a variety of other products designed to make taking your medication easier to manage.
You must have a plan for taking prescriptions so that your patient does not suffer from medication-related complications. Errors with medication can lead to things like immunity to medicines or bacterial resistance. Read on for tips on ensuring safe medication at home.
1. Coordinate with all concerned parties
A person with Alzheimer’s or other chronic conditions may have more than one doctor. Therefore, you should know everything about their medical history and any current medications and their dosages. This is so you can provide the doctors with this information, and they can prescribe medicines that don’t counteract each other.
Aside from speaking at length with their doctors, you should relay medication information to other caregivers. If you take turns caring for your family member, all caregivers must be aware of their current health situation.
2. Get details on the medicine
Aside from treatments for their chronic disease, your loved one might also be prescribed medicine for insomnia, depression, or other complications. As a result of this, you must be aware of all possible side effects of these drugs. You should also monitor herbal supplements and vitamins.
It’s important to know the schedule for each medication but also to familiarise yourself with what the different medicines do and any side effects. This will help you notice anything out of the ordinary if your loved one starts taking a new medicine.
3. Write everything down
Keep a written record of the patient’s medication with the name, dosage, starting date, and other notes from the doctor who prescribed it.
Having a record is important in ensuring a smooth transition should you change healthcare providers. It’s also really helpful to your doctors or nurses in case of a prolonged hospital stay. Try to keep this list in your wallet or purse in case you are both out of the house and something urgent happens.
4. Use medication organisers
A pill box helps everybody keep track of medication on a daily basis. There are various types of organisers today, from locked, timed pill boxes to automatic pill dispensers. For example, the TabTime Medelert has an alarm which can be set to ring for up to six doses a day.
Using a pill dispenser in addition to a calendar will help make the medication schedule more concrete for you and your loved one. With it’s audio and visual alarms it also reduces anxiety about missing medication doses.
5. Develop a routine
It is easier to take medication as prescribed when it is built into your daily routine. Figure out how the dosages fit into daily activities--ask your pharmacist about whether it is to be taken after or before meals, for example.
Be sure that you have a way of refilling and monitoring medication that is safe for everyone in the household. If you have young children or pets in the home, you must keep the medication out of their reach. Keep details of any medication easily accessible, in case of an overdose or accidental swallowing.
In Conclusion
Living with a family member with a chronic illness brings many challenges. Structuring routines for this new life situation helps everybody deal with it as well as possible. Organising medication starts from being aware of what each one does and utilising a pill dispenser, calendar and records can also help.
For your pill organisation needs, use TabTime products. We have automatic pill dispensers for Alzheimer’s patients and a 12-month guarantee for all our products. Ask us about our VAT relief-eligible products and contact us today to learn more.
]]>
Non-compliance or failing to take medication at the required time can have health consequences. It can cause the patient to build an immunity to the medicine or their condition to worsen. Fortunately, patients and caregivers have plenty of ways to remind themselves of their medication schedule.
Here are a few reminder systems available today. Read on to see which fits you or your loved one’s needs.
Pill box
These are the most widely used medication system and is simply a box with trays for different times to take the medicine. The box may be divided into seven, with a tray for every day of the week. There are pill boxes where the trays are further compartmentalised into hours to take the medicine. Some boxes have a digital clock attached, which makes timekeeping more efficient.
A pill box with an alarm vibrates or beeps to signal that you need to take a dose, which is perfect for patients who need some reminding. Once the time for a dose comes up, an LED light will start flashing on the lid and an alarm will start buzzing and will keep doing so until someone opens the box. These alarms can be programmed to go off at a louder volume for patients who are hard of hearing.
Compact pill organiser
This kind of organiser is perfect for people who frequently travel or who are going on holiday. A carrier wallet unzips to reveal daily trays as in a regular pill box. The difference is, each compartment can slide off so that you can carry it on its own.
These wallets usually have space for seven trays, with four compartments labelled morning, noon, evening, and night (or bedtime). When shut, a compact organizer looks like a pocketbook, or a planner, and fits neatly in most travel bags.
If you are leaving for less than a week, you can take just the number of trays needed. An organiser keeps you on schedule with medicine while saving you the worry of losing or breaking your electronic pill box.
Reminder alarm
If you don’t have pill medication but need to be reminded of other treatments, you can use an electronic alarm. These are timepieces with an alert system built-in. Some alarms have a magnet or other means for you to stick it to a refrigerator, wall, or other prominent space. If you are on holiday, you can combine this with a compact pill organiser, because most reminder alarms are small and can fit on a wrist or in a pocket.
Also, the digital readout is large to help visually impaired people read the time properly. Computer-savvy caregivers can hook up an alarm to software, which may be used to give compliance reports to the patient’s physician. Some alarms have this feature, which will need to be programmed.
Electronic dispenser
These are automatic pill dispensers for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia or other conditions that make it difficult to keep track of their medication. They are fully automatic and lockable and dispense medication at the precise time it is needed.
There must be some programming done by the caregiver, who will need to monitor the system at first to see if it works properly. A downside to this is that some electronic dispensers require a power supply.
In conclusion
Finding a medication reminder system for you or your loved one is an important part of patient care. Skipping doses can lead to complications or resistance to the medicine. There are various options available for different patients’ needs.
TabTime provides medication management products. Our range includes lockable automatic pill dispensers, reminder alarms, and other pill organisers. We are based in the UK and offer free shipping in the country for orders over £50. Browse our products today or contact us for more details!
]]>Dementia, is a condition in which there is a deterioration in cognitive skills, memory and the ability to perform daily activities. People with this debilitating disease often take a number of medications for different medical conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes. This is defined as polypharmacy. Medication management is therefore crucial for older people who have different prescriptions for different medical conditions.
Polypharmacy poses a number of health risks, such as dangerous drug interactions and over medication. A system for people with dementia is therefore essential to avoid these potential hazards.
Listed below are some tips on how to help people with dementia take their medications properly and reduce the risks:
1. Coordinate with their doctor and pharmacists
People with dementia are often under a specialist doctor. Make sure to update yourself with the different medications they are taking.
2. Create a relaxed environment
When it is medication time, soothing music can help relax both you and the person you’re caring for. Try to maintain a calm disposition to help avoid agitating or worrying the person taking the medicine. Finally try to identify what triggers distress and then find ways to remove that stress in the future.
3. Maintain medication records
When new medications have been prescribed, find out about the possible drug interactions with the other medications being taken. It is vital to know about each medicine’s information like name, dosage, purpose, and side effects. Be alert to the unpleasant side effects of the prescribed medicine, such as nausea, stomach aches, headaches, and dizziness. It is imperative to take medications as per the instructions of the doctor.
4. Be their medication buddy
Try scheduling taking your medicine at the same time. It helps create a feeling of a shared activity and can reduce the chance of medication refusal.
5. Use a medication dispenser
Using an automated pill dispenser can ensure that the right medications are given at the correct times. There are several medication dispensers on the market, such as the TabTime Medelert, that can remind your loved one to take their pills with an audio and visual alarm. Our dispenser includes a lock to reduce the risk of medication being taken accidentally which can occur due to the confusion that dementia can cause.
6. Do it routinely
A person with dementia can greatly benefit from a routine and this applies equally to taking medication.
Helping someone with dementia take their daily medications can be challenging and we hope these tips help.If you’d like to know more about our automatic pill dispenser and how it can help someone with dementia please do get in touch.
]]>It shouldn’t add to your mental checklist as it is inevitable to let one or two pills slip from your mind. Fortunately, there are various clever ways you can adhere to your medication regimen with ease, which don’t just involve a handy-dandy pillbox. To that end, the list below should clue you in on the best medication reminders in the market:
1. Combine Your Schedule with a Daily Task
Taking your medication is an easy thing to forget if you’re not paying attention. That’s why it’s best to tie down the action with an activity you do every day—be it consciously or on automatic mode.
Making coffee or brushing your teeth, for instance, are rituals that almost everyone finds nearly impossible to forget. With that in mind, taking your medication during this time allows you to apply it to your routine until it becomes second nature.
2. Seek Help from Other Family Members
Sometimes all you need is a helping hand to remind you of your medication needs. If you find a willing family member or friend, kindly ask if they can help support you through the treatment by prompting you to take the proper dosage as per the doctor’s orders.
3. Keep Your Medication In Your Line of Sight
4. Take Advantage of Apps and Mobile Calendars
Most people are plugged into their phones for the better part of the day. Seeing as digital technology is deeply integrated into our everyday lives, it makes sense to utilize it by using mobile applications and calendar alerts for any prescription reminders.
5. Use a TabTime Pill Reminder
Classic pill cases were once an excellent way to categorise medications according to your daily needs. Unfortunately, people struggle with a general forgetfulness, so it’s no surprise how pillboxes are left to dust at the back of their minds every so often.
That’s where the TabTime Super 8 comes in, a modern take on a classic solution to maintaining your medication timetable. The TabTime Super 8 is a device that has eight compartments, that you can easily fit anywhere in your body.
The best part is that it has a built-in alarm system that rings when it’s time to take your medicine and it’s been designed to be easy to open by people with frail hands. With a TabTime Super 8 close to your person, you can sigh in relief knowing that you never have to miss another day of medication.
The Bottom Line
Missing a dose of your medication can lead to serious consequences, especially if the daily meds pile up one after another. If you want to avoid falling into poor medication practices, the tips above should help you adhere to your routine and help you take your pills on the dot.
If you’re looking to learn more about TabTime’s range of devices, get in touch with us to see how we can help.
Pill image: Free photo 1649499 © Pdiaz - Dreamstime.com
Toothbrush image: Free photo 2115849 © Martin Allinger - Dreamstime.com
]]>Caring for someone with dementia has many responsibilities, and supporting someone to comply with medication is very much at the top of the list. For people on a complex tablet regime taking the right dose at the right time can be difficult, as well as placing further demands on the role of the carer. Some medications are required multiple times a day, others are taken on different days, making it difficult to monitor. Since many people are on several medications, an automatic pill dispenser can be invaluable.
Tablet Dispenser
The TabTime Medelert is specifically designed to dispense the correct dose, and only the correct dose, available at the correct time. It is fully automatic, lockable and time released at the exact time the dose is required, making medication manageable!
All other pills are safely locked in the dispenser out of sight, helping prevent an incorrect dose or an overdose being taken.
Not only does this dispenser support the role of the carer it allows the individual to enjoy an improved quality of life, to remain independent at home for longer and to be less reliant on family members and their carers’. This frees up valuable time and resources for the carer to place into another aspects of their caring role.
Our dispensing system critically assists Alzheimer's and dementia patients, the elderly and the visually or mentally impaired. Many overdoses and sub-therapeutic medication levels are very often due to medication not being taken efficiently. On occasions this could be forgetting to take medication, taking additional tablets that have already been consumed, taking them at the wrong time or even taking the wrong dosage.
Alarm System
With this type of medication dispenser, you can set up the medication ahead of time in separate compartments. However, this system conveniently allows you to set an alarm for each time of the day that medication needs to be taken. If you don't acknowledge the alarm, it will continue to beep every so often until you do. The dispensing alarm is essential to help those who simply need a reminder as to when it's time to take their medication throughout the day.
To decrease the chance of medication administration errors, The TabTime Medelert takes on the responsible role of accurately dispensing pills to provide many outpatients and their carers’ with a sense of support and rest bite. Carers and family members can set up the medications ahead of time, with easy to use reminders throughout the day, such as a long duration buzzer that sounds continuously until pills are dispensed and received.
Automated Dispensing
Furthermore, to add to additional security and accuracy of dispensing medication the device is locked. This dispenser allows the patient or carer to pre-set medications in a locked box system which will dispense as and when required throughout the day. This type of medication system can be very helpful for people who tend to take extra medications when feeling anxious or in pain, or for those who have Alzheimer's disease or early signs of dementia.
Manageable Medication
As we aim to make medication manageable there is no better way to continue evolving than by listening to the families and carers that have made use of the TabTime Medelert. One happy customer stated that their mother in law “can now have regular medication without the family delivering the pill every day in person”. The dispenser is an essential tool to reduce the ripple effect dementia can have on a family and their careers’. Having to be there in person to prevent under or over dosing is very much a military operation. The automatic pill dispenser reduces this burden dramatically.
Another customer raised the important point that their elderly parent often forgot that they had already taken their daily tablets, as blister packs lacked vital information, such as daily scheduling. They purchased the TabTime Medelert and it has relieved them of their medication related issues. The family stated that “the TabTime works really well as it simplifies the whole process and he now takes the correct pills at the correct time”. The pressure valve on the family and the carers is instantly released with the TabTime Medelert. The audio and visual displays of the dispenser provide everyone with piece of mind by reducing the consent threat of under or overdosing on a daily basis.
]]>