As we get older, there may come a point when we need to start taking more medication than we used to. It can be difficult to remember how much to take of which tablet, when they need to be taken, and how often. This only gets trickier if forgetfulness becomes an issue too. This is why many people invest in medication dispensers.
What is a Medication Dispenser?
A medication dispenser is a secure container designed to house your medication. They come in a variety of models depending on your needs. Most are split into daily compartments. At the beginning of a week, you fill the compartments with the medication for that day.
With some models, compartments may also be split into “morning” and “night” sections. If you take medication at different times in the day, these types of medication dispensers can make it easier to keep track of your dosages. For people who struggle with forgetfulness, you can also get electronic dispensers that issue audible reminders.
If necessary, someone else can even fill the medication dispenser for you.
Without further ado, let’s look at the top 5 benefits of medication dispensers.
1. They Make Life Simpler
As mentioned above, medication dispensers turn a daily task into a weekly or fortnightly task. You won’t need to worry about preparing the right amount of medication every day, as it will all be separated for you. This is a task a family member or carer could help you with. Once your medication is organised, it’s a simple matter of taking it when it’s due. This also reduces the likelihood of overdosing or missing a dose, as you will be able to see whether you’ve taken your medication.
2. You Can Get Automatic Medication Dispensers
To further take away the worry of missing a dose, you can also get automatic medication dispensers. This takes extra pressure off you to remember. These dispensers will only make your medication available at pre-programmed times, so there’s no risk of taking your medication too soon. This also makes automatic dispensers ideal for people living with complex medication regimes, as they will also alert you when medication is due.
3. They’re Low Cost
You won’t have to spend much to benefit from a medication dispenser. Most medication dispenser boxes cost as little as £5, and even automatic models won’t break the bank. Moreover, there are a variety of medication dispensers to choose from, split into days or even hours, none of which cost an exorbitant amount. It really is a small price to pay for peace of mind – just like a personal alarm.
4. They’re Easy to Use
One of the biggest annoyances of taking medication is fiddling with bottles or packets. With a medication dispenser, it’s as simple as opening the appropriate compartment and tipping them into your hand. You can’t go wrong. The same applies to automatic dispensers: once the device has been programmed, you won’t need to tamper with it again.
5. They Provide Independence
Where someone might have needed a carer to give them medication at the correct times, a medication dispenser does it for them. An automatic one comes with excellent pre-programmed settings to only release the correct dose at the correct time. Even a basic plastic one can be a helpful reminder to those who may be a bit forgetful.
How Carelink24 Can Help
If it’s independence in the home you’re after, Carelink24 is here to help.
Providing those who may be vulnerable living alone with the confidence and ability to do so is our mission here at Carelink24. We do this with our life-saving personal alarm system.
For more information, read our guide to the Carelink24 alarm service or give us a call on 0800 0076 247. You can also order your alarm online.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 26th February 2024 to reflect current information.
