Claims for Eldercare Tools

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 by Eric Tinsley

A friend forwarded an email recently about something called the "Wellness Wizard".  This is system for automated reminders.  The caregiver records messages to be played at specific times and dates.  The idea is to provide reminders about medications or important appointments.  It also provides a mechanism for the senior ask for help from caregivers.

All-in-all this tool probably has some utility.   It's relatively inexpensive and could help people caring for aging parents who live independently feel more comfortable about their parent's situation.   

The only part of this that really bothered me was the claims about this product.  The company claimed it would:

  • decrease avoidable readmissions
  • maximize the well-being of their loved one
  • reduce caregiver stress
  • and more
The product can contribute to these, but it's really a stretch.

The truth is, it takes a coordinated effort.  Eldercare is not a tool.  Tools can only help.  Be wary of "over sell".  There's nothing that can replace a caregiver's involvement.  Even a geriatric care manager still needs the connection with family. 

Care managers and tools for eldercare can save time, improve situations and even well-being, but they are aides not replacements.

Comments for Claims for Eldercare Tools

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 by ltcmsi@gmail.com:
With the amount of medications seniors take there is always a goal to minimize the amount of pills and frequency of dosing. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if your medications may have other dosage forms that allow you to do this. There are also some dispensing system tools that can assist seniors to maximize medication compliance while still at home. MedReady is a compliance device that ensures compliance while allowing the actual monitoring of compliance. Please see the following website for more information http://www.medreadyinc.com/.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 by ltcmsi@gmail.com:
With the amount of medications seniors take there is always a goal to minimize the amount of pills and frequency of dosing. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if your medications may have other dosage forms that allow you to do this. There are also some dispensing system tools that can assist seniors to maximize medication compliance while still at home. MedReady is a compliance device that ensures compliance while allowing the actual monitoring of compliance. Please see the following website for more information http://www.medreadyinc.com/.

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