Electronic Pillbox Helps Elderly Take Medication On Time

Washington D.C. (AHN) - An electronic pillbox meant to aid the elderly people in taking their medicines on time is a useful tool in old age, new research reveals. The pill box not only beeps at the appointed drug-taking time but also announces the number of pills to take and how to take them.

Manufactured by Santa Barbara, Calif.-based company Lifetechniques, the interactive pillbox was given to a group of patients between the ages of 65 and 84. All the patients were following a prescription regimen of at least four medications.

However, they were also self-sufficient with respect to their ability to take their own medications and were physically active. About one-third of the patients were men.

The results showed that electronic pillboxes boosted drug adherence. The number of days when patients accidentally skipped their drug regimen altogether dropped to just 6 percent when using an electronic pillbox -- from 12 percent without the box, Health Day news reports.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommends senior citizens use a calendar or a pillbox to stick to drug routines as the pillboxes are particularly helpful for those dealing with complex multi-pill regimens. It is also useful for who have difficulty opening safety sealed drug containers.

The study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, was presented recently at the American Geriatric Society meeting in Washington, D.C.