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Grant makes MedSmart available to more residents [UPDATED]
Published 10:07am Monday, November 26, 2012 Updated 12:09pm Monday, November 26, 2012PioneerCare has more room for people to participate for free in its new medication management system, MedSmart. PioneerLink, the technology arm of PioneerCare, recently received a $116,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to fund a study to put a medication reminder system into 100 area homes for three months.
“We have close to 50 people using it in their homes now – in Moorhead, Dilworth, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Perham, Richville, New York Mills, Frazee, Wadena, Henning, Elbow Lake and Morris,” said Steve Guttormson, from the marketing office at Pioneer Care.
MedSmart is a device that works like an alarm clock, notifying patients every time they need to take a medication. MedSmart also provides a safety system. If a person misses a dose, a family member or caregiver will automatically receive a call.
With over a month to go before the deadline to apply for the free trial, Pioneer Care would like to find more people that would like to try the system free-of-charge.
“We received the grant from Minnesota DHS to help make this available to people and to study how it affects people’s ability to adhere to their medication regimen,” said Guttormson. “That’s a hot issue as far as reducing unplanned, and in some cases, unnecessary clinic and emergency room visits and hospitalizations.”
Ten percent of all hospital admissions are attributed to people not taking their medication, or not taking it on the schedule prescribed.
“Already, we have folks who see this as their “last option” for staying independent in their homes,” said Guttormson. “It’s working for them.”
Although MedSmart usually costs $39 per month, the grant is funding 100 people have the opportunity to try the system for free. Anyone interested in trying MedSmart for a three-month trial period should contact Deb Adkins at 218-998-2628 or stop by PioneerCare.
