AGING ISSUE
Mrs. S. has moderate dementia. She has been living alone in the community. Daughter, and caregiver, became concerned with:
1. weight loss and lack of food preparation + food spoiled
2. medication compliance as lots of extra pills in bottles (when viewing date dispensed) and some found on floor.
In order to support her mom, her daughter went to her mom's home or called every breakfast and supper to ensure her mom was eating and medications were being taken. This improved medication compliance and weight began to increase. Mrs. S was able to remain at home x 1 year with additional support from her own child. Reminder Rosie could have helped reduce burden on the caregiver by prompting the patient with verbal reminders to take medications or to eat.
Reminder Rosie cues instead of 2 reminder phone calls every day for one year could have helped the caregiver daughter significantly throughout the year, reducing her daily stress, which she recalls as worst year personally for her.
Reminder examples, ....mom, it is lunchtime your sandwich is in the fridge...... Mom take the pills from your dosette marked lunch.
The daughters phone calls could more often been used for discussing other personal issues, positive updates about her grandchildren instead of nagging daily reminders.
POST-OPERATION
Mr. M fell down the steps and hurt his back. He went to his primary care practitioner who prescribed some analgesics for the pain. His medication was ordered as 2 tablets every 4-6 hours. He does have some short term memory. Mr. M went home and took his medications. He fell asleep x 30 minutes. He woke up and as was slightly disoriented/sedated from the analgesic. He did not recall taking his medications earlier. He took another pill. Family called later that day and no answer. They became concerned and went to his home. They found him sleeping and could not wake him. 911 was called. He was taking to the emergency department. He slowly became more alert during his time in emergency department. He was discharged with the diagnosis of over medication.
Reminder Rosie prompts stating that he is able to take his medications if needed with 4 hour reminders.