This post is sponsored by Hero. Hero provided me with a free dispenser to review their product. All opinions and statements are my own. Affiliate links are included in this post meaning I receive compensation if you decide to try Hero. This compensation does not impact the pricing model Hero is offering.
As a family caregiver, sorting, dispensing, and refilling medications is overwhelming.
Then, there is the issue of remembering if the medication and supplements were taken. It’s a lot to think about!
My mom was on a cocktail of different medications, and sorting and refilling her medications took hours each month. If this photo below were a bit clearer, you’d see me and my little sister with a massive tub of mom’s meds, trying to help my older sister (mom’s primary caregiver) during one of our visits. I remember trying to make sense of it all and thinking there had to be an easier way to manage mom’s medications.
Do You Need a Hero?
When I ask this question, I can’t help but hear Bonnie Tyler singing her hit song, ‘I Need a Hero.’ I hope that brought a smile to your face! What caregiver doesn’t need a Hero?!
In this case, I’m talking about Hero, a full-service medication manager that helps family caregivers and their care recipients live independently.
In 2020, Hero reports that their members achieved a 96% median medication adherence rate, exceeding the national average of 50%.
Hero is more than an in-home device. It’s a membership service that includes:
- Hero’s automatic pill dispenser can store and dispense up to 10 different types of pills according to a specific medication schedule. Each container can hold a 90-day supply of pills.
- The Hero app delivers notifications to care recipients and their care team when it’s time for a dose if a dose is missed, and if any medications are running low.
- Hero’s 24/7 member support team regularly monitors how your device performs in your home and proactively helps ensure it’s running optimally.
The Hero service would have provided a helping hand for mom’s meds! Even now, one of my siblings has to help my brother with developmental disabilities sort his meds. Once his pills are organized into the traditional plastic weekly pill containers, we blindly trust that he is following his medication schedule. Asking if he took his medication frustrates him and makes him feel less independent. Having an app that my siblings and I could periodically check for adherence analytics would be so handy and help avoid this recurring conflict.
Below, you’ll find a series of videos in which I show you precisely what is included with the Hero system and how to set it up.
Unboxing Hero’s Pill Dispenser
First, in this unboxing video, you will see the components delivered with the Hero device.
Setup and Connect Hero in Minutes
It took me less than 10 minutes to set up Hero and connect the device to the app.
Tip: You’ll want to have your Wi-Fi information handy, and you’ll also need your smartphone to download the Hero app.
In this video, watch as I set up and navigate Hero’s Pill Dispenser for the first time:
Load Your Supplements and Medications
Loading the medications and supplements was a breeze. I just entered all the details about each pill in the app and then followed the instructions to load my pills into the Hero Pill Dispenser’s individual containers.
- A family caregiver created Hero! Kal cared for his mom, who had a quadruple bypass and took over a dozen recovery medications. His mom’s improper medication management caused her to be readmitted to the hospital twice.
- Hero can store up to 10 different types of medications; these medications can be dispensed at multiple times of the day.
- Hero cannot sort and dispense ½ pills and meds requiring refrigeration (e.g., insulin), but the app can still send reminders to take these medications.
- You can add a passcode to prevent others from accidentally dispensing medications.
- If the internet fails, you can use the safety key to access your medications.
- You can dispense up to 7 days in the future to allow for vacations and other trips.
- Hero’s FDA-regulated service is only currently offered to US residents.
How Much Does Hero Cost?
Hero operates on a membership model and offers a discounted rate for prepay customers. Learn more about the product and pricing here.
You may want to try Hero before committing to the monthly membership, so they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure It is right for you. You can find additional Hero product reviews here.
Hero’s primary goal is to improve medication adherence, which is essential in maintaining consistent health outcomes and providing peace of mind for our loved ones. With Hero assisting and tracking all parts of medication management, we now have a practical, physical, and mental system in place. Having one less thing to worry about and remember daily is always appreciated.
