Med-E-Lert Locking Automatic Pill Dispenser

This was exactly what we were looking for: Has three tone alarm with disable option Has flashing light for reminder Easy to dispense meds (just tip) Programmable for time of day for different doses per day Easy for patient to use We are helping care for an elderly patient who lives alone and has seizures. She gets really mixed up with her meds and has overdosed a number of times (because she forgets to record that she already dosed or has a seizure and thinks it's tomorrow). The more she overdoses, the more she gets mixed up. We got this for her and, now (hasn't been very long), she has made no mistakes. She has a schedule and, right on time, the red light flashes and she tips the dispenser and out comes her dose for that time. She can't really understand a calendar half the time but she understands to look for the red light and tip the dispenser to get her dose. Optimally, she should not be living alone and we are trying to change that but, in the interim, this is an exceptionally good solution that has worked. Minor concerns: This device works really well but it would be hard to imagine that it is extremely rugged. (I could be wrong--it appears to be well made but it is plastic, has plastic gears, uses batteries, and could be dropped.) For that reason, we let her keep an extra dose to only be used if she calls us first. So far, no failures though. We keep in close contact just to be sure. The unit locks. However, a drug abuser (our patient is not) could easily stomp on this and get the meds out (or simply walk away with it). But, you would at least know that it happened. If the unit tries to dispense while you are filling the tray, the display might show "Err". I couldn't find a way to fix this in the instructions so I called the company. A support person answered within 1 or 2 minutes. The support person seemed to have trouble understanding my concern but eventually told me to take the batteries out and put them back again. I was concerned that the unit would lose the time and/or the schedule or other parameters. I did the procedure quickly and the unit was fine like nothing happened. Not sure what would happen if I wasn't quick. The setup really requires the instructions and isn't always intuitive. Closely following the instructions and using some experimentation works fine though. I've seen worse and most devices like this require some initial effort. Keep the instructions and the key! When the dispensing tray presents the pills, anyone can take them. In some settings, that might be an issue. Also, at that time, there is no cover and the pills are exposed. For our situation, all that's a good thing. This is not a wall powered device with battery backup but simply a battery powered unit. Watch the battery life. (We considered a wall powered unit but liked the listed features of this one better.) Not very portable: Beeps if left upside down--probably for good reason. Also, the current dose could fall out. Again, that's a good design for our situation but it's not something to stick in a bag for vacation. We wish that the LCD clock displayed all the time. It times out to save battery life. Overall grade so far: A++ . This device might ultimately get the doses right and resolve some medical issues. (I want one if I ever have to have critical meds.)