Therefore, Kirsten with Dementia still can avoid homecare visits after 2 years.
It goes without saying, that it can be difficult to remember medication when you have been diagnosed with dementia. Yet Kirsten still manages to take her medication during the day, while her husband is at work as a production manager and homecare professionals take care of more critical patients in the municipality.
DoseFan: Kirsten
Dependent on: Medicine many times daily
Uses DoseSystem due to: Dementia
Enhances: Safety, independence and dignity
Dreams about: Inspiring others to use the technology
It is a conscious choice, but it was just about to end differently. In the beginning Kirsten forgot her medicine all the time. She called her husband during the day because she was insecure and felt ill, which made him frustrated.
” I actually tried to set alarms on my telephone, but the problem was that I thought ’Oh yes, I will do it in a minute’ when the alarm rang…. And then I never took the medicine, because I forgot it.”
” With DoseCan the alarm doesn’t stop unless I press OK. And when I’m next to the machine to do it, I might as well take the medicine right away. It’s well connected that way.” Kirsten, DoseCan User.
An alternative homecare visits.
Instead of solving the problem with daily visits from homecare professionals, the couple found a solution in technology. A contact at the municipality recommended DoseSystem as a medicine-reminder and the last 2 years Kirsten has managed without help from healthcare professionals.
“It is more worthy for me. I am safe, self-reliant and independent of others. I would feel more handicapped, if I needed help from homecare workers every day. No, then I prefer some technology!”
Security for both parties
The medicine box DoseCan beeps and blinks, when it is time for Kirsten to take her medication. She acknowledges on the DoseCan, when she has taken the medication. If she forgets, her husband a message on his telephone, that he checks during breaks a work. When it happens, he calls her from work, so she takes her medication anyway.
” With DoseCan the alarm doesn’t stop unless I press OK. And when I’m next to the machine to do it, I might as well take the medicine right away. It’s well connected that way.” Kirsten, DoseCan User.
Spreading the Word
The municipality helped with a short training session in DoseSystem and pay for the system, but the couple would gladly pay for it themselves, if they had not had the possibility:
” I think it’s something, that many more should be able be offered. On my own initiative I drove from Vejle, where we live to the technology-library in Odense to advertise it. I really think many could benefit from DoseSystem.”
