Report: Wireless technologies needed to improve medication adherence

Smart pill bottles, smartphone apps to manage medication regimens, wireless point-of-care testing devices, portable electronic pill dispensers and other new technologies could help save thousands of lives and billions of dollars, according to a recent report. "Medication non-adherence is responsible for up to 33 percent to 69 percent of medication-related hospital admissions and 23 percent of all nursing-home admissions," says David Lindeman, director of the Center for Technology and Aging.

The Oakland, Calif.-based organization currently is promoting an October study called, "Technologies for Optimizing Medication Use in Older Adults." The report focuses on ways to improve medication reconciliation at the provider end, patient adherence to medication regimens and monitoring of med usage. "More widespread use of technologies that reduce the cost and burden of medication-related illness among older adults is urgently needed," Lindeman says.

For more:
- have a look at this Center for Technology and Aging press release
- read the report (.pdf)
- check out this Los Angeles Times story on seniors and technology, featuring a section wireless health

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