Smart pill bottle holders track missed doses and alert caregivers

NVOLVE is a pill bottle holder that tracks prescription use in real time and alerts close contacts if a dose is skipped or taken incorrectly.

Giving seniors their independence is important, but it can be hard for family members and caregivers whose elderly relatives live alone to ensure they’re taking their medication without being too intrusive. NVOLVE is a pill bottle holder that tracks prescription use in real time and alerts close contacts if a dose is skipped or taken incorrectly.

The system comes in a variety of different forms — two tree-shaped holders that carry either one or five different pill bottles, two segmented trays that hold five or ten bottles, and seven-section pillbox that splits doses into each day of the week. Each device features sensors that detect the weight of any pills or bottles in order to track when medication is taken. The holders are synced with data from doctors that detail the prescription dose and time, flagging a discrepancy if users take too much or too little, or at the wrong time of day. Usage is monitored in real time and any problems immediately trigger a notification on relatives’ and caregivers’ phone or computer. The company is currently carrying out trials of the devices, which will eventually go on sale for USD 75 each.

Services such as PillPack have recognized that pill-taking schedules are difficult to follow — even for young people — and NVOLVE uses smart alerts to warn if users have gone off track. How else can sensor-based technology ensure that important tasks don’t get forgotten?