Pill reminder tools: What tools will help me remember to take my medications?

Forgetting to take medication is a very common – and potentially dangerous – mistake. It is, therefore, great to hear that you are looking for some information about tools designed to serve as medication or pill reminders. Thankfully, there are a number of tools out there that do just that! Below are direct links to some examples of products you may want to explore:

• MedCenter Talking Alarm Clock (at Amazon Canada) is a stationary talking alarm that alerts users when it is time to take medication. This product costs about $60 (CDN), plus additional shipping fees.
• LiveFine Automatic Pill Dispenser (at Amazon Canada) is a portable 28-day electronic pill organizer with alarm. This device allows you to set up to six alarms a day and costs about $100 (CDN), plus additional shipping fees.
• Philips Lifeline Medication Dispensing Service (at Philips Lifeline) is a simple, automated way to manage several medications. This service provides 24-hour monitoring and is designed to help you take the right dose of medication at the right time. To see if this service is available in your area, and for pricing information, call 1-866-784-1992.​
• Robin Digital Day Clock (at Amazon Canada) is a multipurpose device designed to help individuals with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, low vision, or seniors who may need help with reading the date and time, setting reminders and alarms, or wishing to see their loved ones in a digital photo frame. The device offers controls for brightness and colour on the screen, and the talking function can speak to its users in different languages. This item costs about $200 (CDN), plus additional shipping fees.
• The TimeCap Pill Bottle by e-pill® Medication Reminders comes with a bottle cap that uses a timer alarm to alert the person when it's time to take their medication. Up to 24 daily alarms can be set on the bottle cap and it will display the last time and date the person opened the pill bottle. This product costs about $45 (USD) plus a shipping fee. the e-pill Medication Reminder website also features many other products you may find useful.

If you're having difficulty remembering which medications you need to take when you may also find organizing your daily or weekly medications into a dosette pill box useful. These can be purchased at most pharmacies and can be used in combination with an alarm. Alternatively, you can ask your pharmacy to blister pack your medications for you. In most cases, a blister pack will package each daily dose of medication into a small plastic bubble.