Use this guide to undertand what you can buy to help you manage taking your medication with ease and independence. In the Healthcare section of our shop, there are pill organisers - some with built in alarms, labelling devices, eye drop dispensers, talking blood glucose checkers to name a few!
Pill organisers
As well as a variety of compartment options, some organisers also have a digital clock and multiple alarms, which can be set to coincide with a medication routine. The alarm provides either an audible or visual reminder that medication is due, which is a great feature for remembering to take pills.
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The Jumbo portable pillbox has seven individual pill organisers for each day of the week. Each one has four compartments labelled as Morning, Noon, Evening and Bed in raised print. This pillbox can be used as either a weekly medication system or a portable, daily one, as each organiser is removable.
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The Talking Medcenter pill organising system holds up to a month's worth of medication in 31 organisers, each with four compartments (Morning, Noon, Evening and Bed). The base also stores the talking calendar clock with up to four programmable alarms, which can be set to a series of beeps or a pre-recorded voice telling you to take your medication. The organisers are all removable, making it ideal for a day out or holiday, safe in the knowledge that your routine is not going to be disrupted.
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The small, portable Super 8 pill organiser with alarms has eight compartments that can work with the eight alarm times on the clock. It has an LCD display showing the time, alarm times and countdown timer with digits measuring 2cm high. The countdown timer can be set to specific time alarms, such as every 45 minutes or 2¼ hours.
Pill press
It can be really hard to get pills and tablets out of their foil packaging. Ninety per cent of all pills sold over the counter and by prescription are now dispensed in foil blister packs. Pill presses make removing tablets and pills easier.
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The PillPress helps you remove pills and tablets from foil blister packaging. An enclosed 'well' captures the pill when it is pushed through the foil pack by hand, making it easier to locate. An anti-slip silicon pad on the base provides extra stability.
Dispensing eye drops
Eye drop dispensers hold the bottle, and when rested against the eye you can squeeze the dispenser with minimum pressure and a drop will disperse into the eye safely and accurately. This prevents more eye drops being released than necessary, which ultimately prevents spillage and a waste of the medication, as well as possible over-exposure to the drops.
These dispensers are made of plastic and some have handles, to help with arthritis or dexterity problems.
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The Opticare eye drop dispenser which rests over the eye and dispenses the drops with minimum pressure, giving complete control over how many drops are applied. This model is compatible with most round eye drop bottles, from 5-15ml, commonly used by people with glaucoma, but it can also be used with other bottle types as it is supplied with an adaptor.
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For people with arthritis, or limited hand or shoulder mobility, Opticare Arthro eye drop dispensers are fitted with a handle, giving an easier grip to apply minimum pressure. The Arthro 5 model is compatible with most round and oval shaped bottles between 2.5ml and 5ml, whereas the Arthro 10 version holds larger round bottles between 10 and 15ml.
Diabetes
Diabetes is affecting an increasing number of people in the UK - reports now suggest that one in 20 people in the UK now have either type 1 or 2 (Diabetes UK October, 2010). Diabetes also has strong links to sight loss.
Therefore, managing blood sugar levels effectively is essential, which is where a talking blood glucose meter can help.
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The SuperCheck 2 meter is supplied free of charge to blind and partially sighted people who live with diabeties. It has full speech output, which announces a blood glucose reading within seven seconds. The meter can also store up to 500 readings in the memory, and work out the average reading over 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 and 90 days.
A great 'codeless' solution - meaning that you do not have to manually pre-programme a code to the test strips, as the meters do this automatically. Supplied with test strips (also available on repeat prescription), lancets, lancing pen and carry case.
Accessories are available to buy separately, which include replacement test strips, control solution and a USB cable, to transfer data from your meter to a PC.
Labelling medication
If you want to retain medication in its original packaging, labelling it with a voice recording can make identifying it that much easier. Our recording devices are completely reusable making them transferable to replacement tablets.
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The Talking Label recorder will play back your recording at the press of a button and is ideal for remembering the type of medication and dosage as well as expiry dates or storage instructions. Simply record your message up to 20 seconds long, before attaching it to the medication's packaging using the metal clip.
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The RNIB PenFriend audio labeller is very easy to use. Simply record your message using the PenFriend on any of the 127 supplied labels, which can then be attached to the packaging. Each time you touch the label with your PenFriend it will automatically read back your message. Again, you can record vital information pertaining to your medication, such as what it is and what dosage is required.
Read the leaflets in your medicine packet
It can be really hard to read the print on the leaflets that come with medication. If you need help reading them, there is now a free service for you. Call 0800 198 5000 and quote the 8 or 9 digit product licence (PL) number from the leaflet in your medication.
You can either listen to the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) over the phone or order a copy in braille, large print or audio CD format to be sent to your home. You don't even have to register to use this free service.
Buying from RNIB
Prices
Our range of healthcare products offers a wide variety of choice, and ranges in price from approximately £2 to £42 (excluding VAT).
Instructions
Our instructions are written to make it easier to use each product and understand key features. Products are fully explained including orientation around operating buttons, battery compartment, functions and menus, as appropriate.
We understand the importance and pride ourselves on providing instructions in accessible formats. You will receive large print as standard, and can order braille or audio CD with your product to get the most out of your purchase.
Guarantee
All of our healthcare products have a 12 month guarantee which starts from the date of purchase. Many of the products within the healthcare range are non-returnable unless faulty, due to hygiene reasons.
Try before you buy
If you want to view our clocks and watches before you buy, there are easy ways to try before you buy.
For more information If you want more information about our full range of landline phones with accessible features, visit our website www.rnib.org.uk/shop, contact our dedicated Helpline on 0303 123 9999, or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.
Keep up-to-date
To stay up to date with our full range of products, grab a gree copy of our Everyday living catalogue. You can also subscribe, free of charge, to our e-newsletter and our New Product Guide.