This post is sponsored by Hero. All opinions and statements are my own.
As a family caregiver, the task of 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 huge 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?
I can’t help but hear Bonnie Tyler singing her hit song, ‘I Need a Hero’, when I ask this question. I hope that brought a smile to your face! What caregiver doesn’t need a Hero?!
In this case, I’m talking about Hero – the full-service medication manager to help family caregivers and their care recipients live an independent life.
In 2020, Hero reports that their members achieved a 96% median medication adherence rate, far 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, which can store and dispense up to 10 different types of pills according to a specific medication schedule. Each of the ten containers can hold up to a 90 day supply of pills.
- The Hero app, which delivers care recipients and their care team notifications 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, which regularly monitors how your device is performing in your home and reaches out proactively with help to make sure it’s running optimally.
The Hero service would definitely 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 avoid this recurring conflict.
Below you’ll find a series of videos, where I show you exactly what is included with the Hero system and how to get things set 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 definitely 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
It was a breeze to load the medications and supplements. I just put 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.
- Hero was created by a family caregiver! 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.
- You can use the safety key to access your medications, should the internet not be working properly.
- 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 runs on a membership model. Membership costs $29.99/month ($1/day), with a $99.99 initiation fee and 12-month commitment. There is also 24/7 support via phone, email, or online chat. If you’re reading this, visit Hero to receive $60 off the initiation fee and free shipping! The promo code has been automatically applied.
You may want to try out Hero before committing to the monthly membership, so they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure Hero is right for your situation. 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’ve now got a practical, physical, and mental system in place. Having even just one less thing to worry about and remember on a daily basis is always appreciated.
Hero is offering the Happy Healthy Caregiver community $100 off the initiation fee and free shipping. Use discount code HAPPYHEALTHY.
