A personal story. The beginning of Pivotell.

Caroline Milne, Director. A personal story:  January 2001

My mother, a sprightly 74 year old was diagnosed with Parkinsonism and Lewy Body dementia in 2000. Initially she managed very well with a weekly filled dosset box, taking her pills four times per day.

As with many chronic and degenerative illnesses there were many tablets to take, and problems if they were either not taken or taken late. Mum became increasingly anxious and confused about when to take her next pills. She was confused about the time of day, and which section of the dosset box she should open next.

She began to telephone at all hours of the day and night to ask if it was time to take her next pills. Even though a care agency called on her three times a day, they were not always able to be there at the exact time that the pills were due to be taken, which caused a number of panic attacks as she waited for them to arrive.

I began to worry about her overdosing. I found that pills were going missing from the dosset box. Several times she took her pills, had a nap, and woke up after an hour or so later and thought it was the next day, and so took the next morning’s dose. I could see that if this continued she would have to go into care or would end up in hospital.

Everyone began to get very stressed. I had a full time job and couldn’t be with her four times a day, but I could not accept that just because her medication could not be delivered on time she would have to move into a care home. It took me a long time, but eventually I found a supplier who could provide exactly what I was looking for.

When Mum first started to use it I wasn’t sure that she would recognise the alarm or know that she had to tilt the dispenser over to take the pills. It was never a problem – she left it in the hall during the day, and took it to the bedroom at night.  She had a bag to carry it in when she went out to day-care. The staff at day care were delighted with the dispenser as many times she had dropped her dosset box and pills had spilt over the floor. I kept a spare internal cassette tray at my home and filled it up ready to replace her current tray once a week. Having all the pills at my home meant that I knew when to order repeat prescriptions.

January 2005
Mum was still in her own home and maintaining independence. Although there were other problems associated with old age, Parkinsonism and dementia, pills were no longer an issue. The automatic pill dispenser transformed both Mum’s and my life over that 4 years.

July 2006
Mum was no longer able to use the dispenser herself as she needed 24 hour care.