Thank you for the review! I was all set to buy this. You saved me a lot of time. My Dad would never be able to use this. In fact, he saw this video, and he thought it was a really bad advertisement made by the manufacturer. :-)
Can't you do it for him,? I mean it holds 90 days of pills. Doing it for him every 90 days isn't bad at all. I have to go every 2 weeks with my mom's machine
@@kennethmorgan9747 It's been 3 years since I watched this, so I can't remember... but the issue was not about whether he could put the pills in (I do that for him), it was about dispensing them. He would probably be able to use it today, but he was out of his mind when I made the commenht.
This machine is phenomenal. When you purchase and receive, be sure to set aside an hour or two for set up with the device and phone app. Once that is done, it is super easy.
Update : My mother has had Hero for 3-years now, it has been a Godsend for my family ! The whole system is AWESOME ! Customer tech service AWESOME ! App AWESOME ! Only feature I had problems with was the big center and circular navigate ring around it, my mom is legally blind so sometimes she would accidentally hit navigate ring instead of center button, So I went to craft store and got a stick-on crystal bump about the size of a quarter, attached it to center button & works fabulously for her now ! LOVE OUR HERO !
This machine looks brutal, i just started using the Spencer a week ago, the pharmacy sets it all up. The machine is much smaller and does so much more. For the first time in years I'm actually remembering to take my meds when im supposed to.
As a Mechanical Engineer and a health supplement advocate, I thought about some simple way of combining the 💊 taking process, but this HERO contraption seams a bit “over-engineered” but do admire the amazing effort to launch such a product...
Maybe you can make something similar but not with a stupid subscription fee. I would buy it. I have a really bad time remembering to take my meds and I have some that cause bad things when I miss them. I don't need it to know what is what just dispence the correct pills at x time of the day and maybe it has some kind of red light when you have not taken your medicine yet. Just something to remind me that hey you didn't take these yet. I been looking around for plans to build one with a Pi board but some get a little bit out of my comfort zone of what I know how to do. I am an electrical engineer so just on the opposite side of engineering.
Yea, I thought about this for my mom who has had drug abuse in her past but it wouldn't be good for my mom because she would have access if it didn't dispense correctly.
Lifeline Automated Medication Dispensing Service is offered by United Healthcare as a medicare advantage plan subscriber. It is locked. It speaks. It calls caregivers and is completely paid for by the insurance company. Check into that service if this one is not secure enough or if you need one that speaks and will call caregivers when dosages are missed.
yes it will also call text and email your phone, so any options that your phone has for alerting can also be triggered by it. Deaf and blind could still feel phone vibrate, and or hear it. There are also specialized vibration devices designed to work with phones, smoke detectors, doorbells etc that can even make your bed vibrate to the point you would wake up. Might take a bit of tech savviness on the part of a caregiver setting it up but its pretty easy now a days almost everything is wireless. If there is a specific need hit up their chat and ask. If they cant answer and I could understand that as there is limitations with the FDA approval of it I am sure you can find a disabled forum or subreddit more than willing to help.
Hero address a problem in Pharmacy called PolyPharmacy: A patient should not be taking all their medications at the same time ! If they do .. these are some of the conditions that can result: ( Hero helps prevent this from happening) Possible symptoms of polypharmacy include: Loss of appetite Falls Confusion Weakness Tremors Dizziness Anxiety Depression Tiredness or decreased alertness
I have been exceedingly pleased with my” Hero”. It not only dispenses my medications at the dedicated times, but flashes when ready, and makes a noise when I am late so I can’t forget. Setup took sometime and would require some tech abilities if you are dealing with someone not “smart phone smart” or able to follow this RUclips’s. After set up, it is all good. I was happy to receive a message prior to the hurricane inFlorida telling how to manually remove pills from Hero for emergency evacuation plan. Also customer service has been helpful when I have any questions.
I’ve been using my Hero for about a week and I want to like it. I keep having too many issues. I just tried to get my evening pills. Out of seven pills it was supposed to dispense but it dispensed zero. It told me that I was actually out of one med even though I just filled it yesterday. Another med was a PRN and I set my daily limit of two pills. But then for three days in a row it said that I had reached my daily limit even though I hadn’t had any for the day and the app didn’t show any of that pill being dispensed. I chatted with the online help and she set me up with a call for the next day but I slept through it unfortunately. I think they might have sent me a new unit already though. I want to like it. I really do. It makes my life easier. And the monthly cost is covered by FSA or whatever. My drug adherence has gone up considerably. I have two pills that are supposed to be twice a day but I never took the morning doses even though my doctors lectured me every time I saw them. So they’ll be happy. But if it keeps not dispensing my pills I have to wonder if it’s worth it to take up so much space in my small apartment.
I just watched other folks talking about it but did not show how to load the machine. That was my concern on losing it. You made me to really consider getting one. Many thanks!
One tip, It taken about a month for me to get mine because of high demand, just got a UPS tracking # this week from Hero but both times I called to inquire about it's arrival , customer service was awesome w/ hardly if any wait time.
@@rickymeadows5176 Same here got a hair after ordering it and wanted to check out their 24/7 support, most companies you get a bot or a recording but 1:00 am and had a live human being in minutes.
Step by step instructions on the HMI screen take you right thru a refill , and even asks you how many pills ! The machine then rotates to the the designated prescription bin, the door opens automatically and you gently squeeze the med bin pulling it out of it's nest, refill cup, punch # of pills added , replace cup in it's nest shut door and bingo , done. You can even passcode each med so only you can have bin/door access. Your phone app will also reflect changes and a warning icon when meds are low and time to refill.
Couple things - can the machine be operated 100% remotely? Sadly, the messages about refilling, etc, are a bit too complicated for some elders. Also, the center button should be a different color than the ring surrounding the button, making it less difficult for someone with vision problems to operate. Anyway, is it possible to eliminate ALL messages from the display (and their required user interactions - which instead would be relayed to the caregiver), and is it also possible for the remote caregiver to DISPENSE the pills (or maybe the pills can simply be dispensed automatically with NO user input? The pills just appear automatically in the cup on schedule?) Thanks...
Having owned and operated a national direct to consumer medical supply business for 11 yrears, we tested a device like this. It way way too confusing for seniors to set up and operate. That was 15 years ago. Today’s consumer may be more technically savvy. After watching this demo, I am not at all sold.
I’m getting one and I’m not a senior 😂 I take 8 different supplements and meds everyday though and it’s so hard to remember! This thing is gonna be so helpful
Can you schedule specific meds at different times of the day? If one med was 2x/day, one was in the am, then another in the pm? Would it be able to do meds a,b,c at 10am? And then a,c,d at 6pm?
Yes you can ! And you can monitor when it was taken or skipped and number of pills left with the AWESOME phone app which warns you if prescription is low also. This machine was a Godsend for our family. I can be at work or out of town and MONITOR my mother's schedule. The unit also gives an audible alarm with volume adjustment and for a person who is slow or uses a walker you can actually grant a grace period in settings to allow for time to get to machine. IT IS FREAK'N AWESOME !
I would love to have one of these machines but it is SO LOUD. I would have to put my hands over my ears as I am very sensitive to prolonged loud sounds. Still seems to be a very helpful product, though. Thanks for the video! I am still very much so considering this purchase. 🙂
Anyone taking a lot of meds regardless of age should consider the machine if it cost affected. The company is trying to get health insurers to cover the cost. Right now they are talking to Medicare. If you can afford it, do the 30 day free trial then decide. Don’t throw the shipping box away. Have a blessed day😁🎶 🔆🌺🎉🎈
I bought this for my mom who has dementia. I set the hero to dispense my moms am meds at 930. Seems pretty straightforward right? The machine dispensed my moms meds at 905. That is not what time I set the machine up to dispense. If I wanted the pills to come out 905 I would have set it for 905. It just gets to pick and choose what time the meds get dispensed? I'm sorry but that is just stupid. Also it only holds 10 medications. That's very weak. I'll be sending it back and I'm buying the medacube.
Interested in hero for my mom but she does not have internet, does she have to have internet and wifi or can I do everything necessary from my smart phone ?
I’ve been looking into Hero and a few others. Hero does need WiFi, but there is another similar device called Livi that includes AT&T cellular network connectivity in its monthly fee. I’d check that one out for a home without internet service.
What is so special about the benefit(s) that I would need to pay for this monthly? Does it do anything new after a while? Does it do tricks? I’m so confused.
Hero does have a 30-day money-back guarantee, So that may give you enough time to determine if the monthly subscription fee is worth it for you or your family.
There are other services for less and there are machines for less than 1200 that you can buy outright. Look around and search .I don’t know which is best, maybe this is, maybe not. Just saying, there are others. Shop wisely. And seriously think twice about that doesn’t recommend you do your own research.
@@Elizabeth-jp3dv I would rather pay $1000-$1200 to own the machine and not have a subscription fee to use it. I am 33. And I have pills I will be on for life. This subscription fee would cost me several of these machines in the time I would have to pay for it.
Jesus, was thinking of getting this for my mom and holy cow does that thing look and sound clunky and it didn't even work! This is another smart device that is "supposed" to save you time but ends up taking more time to fix the fucking thing!!
I have to check if the proper meds were dispensed? Really? If the machine is wrong Imagine my poor Granny. Plus I must shake it when it gets stuck. Plus its new.
For the price of the machine try the code CART75 for $75 off. I know it worked for me and the total price was $24.99 with shipping. YMMV though with the coupon code
It seriously helps me in my late 30's and I take close to 20 meds. Saves me like a hour a day and the low pill reminder has saved my butt a few times. I am in a 30,000$ power chair and its not like I can jump in the car and go. With PTSD and Severe Physical issues it also takes the did I remember to take that dose factor out of the equation. Also you can set it up to notify others also if you miss a dose or x doses in a row so someone can either remind you or check on you. Ive got 5 Kids getting a hour of my life back a day is worth anything to me. Staying on track on my meds also helps me stay feeling better = more quality time with kiddos.
Thank you for the review! I was all set to buy this. You saved me a lot of time. My Dad would never be able to use this. In fact, he saw this video, and he thought it was a really bad advertisement made by the manufacturer. :-)
Get a caregiver maybe
Can't you do it for him,? I mean it holds 90 days of pills. Doing it for him every 90 days isn't bad at all. I have to go every 2 weeks with my mom's machine
@@kennethmorgan9747 It's been 3 years since I watched this, so I can't remember... but the issue was not about whether he could put the pills in (I do that for him), it was about dispensing them. He would probably be able to use it today, but he was out of his mind when I made the commenht.
This machine is phenomenal. When you purchase and receive, be sure to set aside an hour or two for set up with the device and phone app. Once that is done, it is super easy.
Update : My mother has had Hero for 3-years now, it has been a Godsend for my family ! The whole system is AWESOME ! Customer tech service AWESOME ! App AWESOME ! Only feature I had problems with was the big center and circular navigate ring around it, my mom is legally blind so sometimes she would accidentally hit navigate ring instead of center button, So I went to craft store and got a stick-on crystal bump about the size of a quarter, attached it to center button & works fabulously for her now ! LOVE OUR HERO !
And the customer service is so patient with each customer.
This machine looks brutal, i just started using the Spencer a week ago, the pharmacy sets it all up. The machine is much smaller and does so much more. For the first time in years I'm actually remembering to take my meds when im supposed to.
That is great to hear. Please share the channel with your friends.
Is the spencer a machine
@@Dimples777 yes it is, the Spencer Dispenser has videos on RUclips, you should check them out.
This is one of the several videos out there
The Spencer stores a week’s worth of meds, and they have to be filled at the pharmacy? Totally different approach for the same application, I agree
thanks for making this video...you've convinced me that sorting my own pills is way easier
Glad to be of help.
Yes, remember you have to take 8 pills at 10a.m. every day. Where is the afternoon 2 pill dose or the 3 different pill bedtime dose?
As a Mechanical Engineer and a health supplement advocate, I thought about some simple way of combining the 💊 taking process, but this HERO contraption seams a bit “over-engineered” but do admire the amazing effort to launch such a product...
Thank you for your perspective! Also, thank you for watching.
Maybe you can make something similar but not with a stupid subscription fee. I would buy it. I have a really bad time remembering to take my meds and I have some that cause bad things when I miss them. I don't need it to know what is what just dispence the correct pills at x time of the day and maybe it has some kind of red light when you have not taken your medicine yet. Just something to remind me that hey you didn't take these yet. I been looking around for plans to build one with a Pi board but some get a little bit out of my comfort zone of what I know how to do. I am an electrical engineer so just on the opposite side of engineering.
Awesome product and Awesome Customer Service and Company Love this product Well needed
Bought one of these early this week for my mother. It comes Saturday, this was super informational.
You're welcome. Please share the channel with your friends.
I seen a commercial on TV that Medicaid will pay for this but I can't find the number for them to pay for it is there anybody out there could help me
Yea, I thought about this for my mom who has had drug abuse in her past but it wouldn't be good for my mom because she would have access if it didn't dispense correctly.
Lifeline Automated Medication Dispensing Service is offered by United Healthcare as a medicare advantage plan subscriber. It is locked. It speaks. It calls caregivers and is completely paid for by the insurance company. Check into that service if this one is not secure enough or if you need one that speaks and will call caregivers when dosages are missed.
What about for deaf or blind people? Can it say out loud messages as opposed to the tiny display on device screen?
yes it will also call text and email your phone, so any options that your phone has for alerting can also be triggered by it. Deaf and blind could still feel phone vibrate, and or hear it. There are also specialized vibration devices designed to work with phones, smoke detectors, doorbells etc that can even make your bed vibrate to the point you would wake up. Might take a bit of tech savviness on the part of a caregiver setting it up but its pretty easy now a days almost everything is wireless. If there is a specific need hit up their chat and ask. If they cant answer and I could understand that as there is limitations with the FDA approval of it I am sure you can find a disabled forum or subreddit more than willing to help.
Hero address a problem in Pharmacy called PolyPharmacy:
A patient should not be taking all their medications at the same time ! If they do .. these are some of the conditions that can result: ( Hero helps prevent this from happening)
Possible symptoms of polypharmacy include:
Loss of appetite
Falls
Confusion
Weakness
Tremors
Dizziness
Anxiety
Depression
Tiredness or decreased alertness
i wish there was not a REQUIRED subscription. i could really use this but why can't i just buy the machine?
Greed.
They only rent you the machine. If you cancel your subscription, it quits working and you have to send the unit back.
They have to make money off of your necessity. You know, the love of money...
@@thedocktor5171 true, but you used to be able to buy it and sure it was like $1800 or something but over the next 20 or 30 years that is way better
I would suggest a power strip with a circuit breaker b/c it is a computer. Unfortunately transformers do hog the outlet.
So I wouldn't be buying the unit. I'm renting it and have to subscribe to a monthly fee of app and possible med refill services.
I have been exceedingly pleased with my” Hero”. It not only dispenses my medications at the dedicated times, but flashes when ready, and makes a noise when I am late so I can’t forget. Setup took sometime and would require some tech abilities if you are dealing with someone not “smart phone smart” or able to follow this RUclips’s. After set up, it is all good. I was happy to receive a message prior to the hurricane inFlorida telling how to manually remove pills from Hero for emergency evacuation plan. Also customer service has been helpful when I have any questions.
I’ve been using my Hero for about a week and I want to like it. I keep having too many issues. I just tried to get my evening pills. Out of seven pills it was supposed to dispense but it dispensed zero. It told me that I was actually out of one med even though I just filled it yesterday. Another med was a PRN and I set my daily limit of two pills. But then for three days in a row it said that I had reached my daily limit even though I hadn’t had any for the day and the app didn’t show any of that pill being dispensed.
I chatted with the online help and she set me up with a call for the next day but I slept through it unfortunately. I think they might have sent me a new unit already though.
I want to like it. I really do. It makes my life easier. And the monthly cost is covered by FSA or whatever. My drug adherence has gone up considerably. I have two pills that are supposed to be twice a day but I never took the morning doses even though my doctors lectured me every time I saw them. So they’ll be happy. But if it keeps not dispensing my pills I have to wonder if it’s worth it to take up so much space in my small apartment.
I thought as much! And they want you pay this outrageous price for pills you already can’t afford. What a ripoff 🤬
I seen it announced on TV that Medicaid would take care of this but I don't have the number to call that number that I seen on TV
I just watched other folks talking about it but did not show how to load the machine. That was my concern on losing it. You made me to really consider getting one. Many thanks!
One tip, It taken about a month for me to get mine because of high demand, just got a UPS tracking # this week from Hero but both times I called to inquire about it's arrival , customer service was awesome w/ hardly if any wait time.
@@rickymeadows5176 Same here got a hair after ordering it and wanted to check out their 24/7 support, most companies you get a bot or a recording but 1:00 am and had a live human being in minutes.
Step by step instructions on the HMI screen take you right thru a refill , and even asks you how many pills ! The machine then rotates to the the designated prescription bin, the door opens automatically and you gently squeeze the med bin pulling it out of it's nest, refill cup, punch # of pills added , replace cup in it's nest shut door and bingo , done. You can even passcode each med so only you can have bin/door access. Your phone app will also reflect changes and a warning icon when meds are low and time to refill.
@@chris4392 They have also called me periodically to ask for feedback and if they could help with any issues !
Couple things - can the machine be operated 100% remotely? Sadly, the messages about refilling, etc, are a bit too complicated for some elders. Also, the center button should be a different color than the ring surrounding the button, making it less difficult for someone with vision problems to operate.
Anyway, is it possible to eliminate ALL messages from the display (and their required user interactions - which instead would be relayed to the caregiver), and is it also possible for the remote caregiver to DISPENSE the pills (or maybe the pills can simply be dispensed automatically with NO user input? The pills just appear automatically in the cup on schedule?) Thanks...
Mine stopped alarming and I can't figure out how to get it start again.
Better products on the market. This one looks ominous, way bigger than its competitors.
Having owned and operated a national direct to consumer medical supply business for 11 yrears, we tested a device like this. It way way too confusing for seniors to set up and operate. That was 15 years ago. Today’s consumer may be more technically savvy. After watching this demo, I am not at all sold.
I’m getting one and I’m not a senior 😂 I take 8 different supplements and meds everyday though and it’s so hard to remember! This thing is gonna be so helpful
We're glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching.
Yes, remember you have to take 8 pills at 10a.m. every day. Where is the afternoon or p.m. doses?
@@yisyvonne how are you liking it now?
Can you schedule specific meds at different times of the day? If one med was 2x/day, one was in the am, then another in the pm? Would it be able to do meds a,b,c at 10am? And then a,c,d at 6pm?
Yes you can you can even add as needed medications
Yes you can ! And you can monitor when it was taken or skipped and number of pills left with the AWESOME phone app which warns you if prescription is low also. This machine was a Godsend for our family. I can be at work or out of town and MONITOR my mother's schedule. The unit also gives an audible alarm with volume adjustment and for a person who is slow or uses a walker you can actually grant a grace period in settings to allow for time to get to machine. IT IS FREAK'N AWESOME !
How many medication can the hero hold
You have to have 10 or more in the container to have it work properly!
What if you have to take meds twice daily?
I would love to have one of these machines but it is SO LOUD. I would have to put my hands over my ears as I am very sensitive to prolonged loud sounds. Still seems to be a very helpful product, though. Thanks for the video! I am still very much so considering this purchase. 🙂
You are welcome. Please share the channel with your friends.
I found out my Medicare insurance covers mine, check into it
I’m looking something for addicts. Anyone have ideas?
Why are you only putting in a weeks worth. I'd hate to do this once a week
Good point. I was just demonstrating usage. If I were really relying on Hero for my meds, I'd put in a month's worth or as much as would fit.
I’m a senior at 31 it’s crazy 😂
Right 38 here.... On almost 20 meds so this thing saves me probably a hour a day.
Anyone taking a lot of meds regardless of age should consider the machine if it cost affected. The company is trying to get health insurers to cover the cost. Right now they are talking to Medicare. If you can afford it, do the 30 day free trial then decide. Don’t throw the shipping box away. Have a blessed day😁🎶 🔆🌺🎉🎈
He forgot sticker removal on 2 bwahaha
@@sux2beulol72I like that the sticker removal part made you laugh. That makes me laugh.
Don't store medications and supplements in the bathroom anyway due to humidity.
That's very smart!
I bought this for my mom who has dementia. I set the hero to dispense my moms am meds at 930. Seems pretty straightforward right? The machine dispensed my moms meds at 905. That is not what time I set the machine up to dispense. If I wanted the pills to come out 905 I would have set it for 905. It just gets to pick and choose what time the meds get dispensed? I'm sorry but that is just stupid. Also it only holds 10 medications. That's very weak. I'll be sending it back and I'm buying the medacube.
We're sorry to hear you had that experience. But thanks for sharing. it helps everyone in the community make a more informed decision.
Do you paint nature scenes?
Happy little trees under some happy little clouds.
That’s nice and everything but what about for people it take more than 10 different pills a day? Also $30 a month is quite a lot
Then this is not the product for you.
What’s the subscription service for? Can you use it without it?
Yes, you can use Hero without a prescription, but it's often used to monitor prescription medications.
The subscription service is so expensive I don't know how senior can afford this.
Does it recall the medicine setup if the power goes out?
Yes it does!
how can i get this machine?
Interested in hero for my mom but she does not have internet, does she have to have internet and wifi or can I do everything necessary from my smart phone ?
I’ve been looking into Hero and a few others. Hero does need WiFi, but there is another similar device called Livi that includes AT&T cellular network connectivity in its monthly fee. I’d check that one out for a home without internet service.
What is so special about the benefit(s) that I would need to pay for this monthly? Does it do anything new after a while? Does it do tricks? I’m so confused.
Hero does have a 30-day money-back guarantee, So that may give you enough time to determine if the monthly subscription fee is worth it for you or your family.
In comparison one of these machines would cost at minimum like bare minimum $1200
There are other services for less and there are machines for less than 1200 that you can buy outright. Look around and search .I don’t know which is best, maybe this is, maybe not. Just saying, there are others. Shop wisely. And seriously think twice about that doesn’t recommend you do your own research.
@@Elizabeth-jp3dv I would rather pay $1000-$1200 to own the machine and not have a subscription fee to use it. I am 33. And I have pills I will be on for life. This subscription fee would cost me several of these machines in the time I would have to pay for it.
I likee mine.
It's covered by Medicare
Jesus, was thinking of getting this for my mom and holy cow does that thing look and sound clunky and it didn't even work! This is another smart device that is "supposed" to save you time but ends up taking more time to fix the fucking thing!!
From what I hear this machine doesn't work very good. It's a shame. I had this idea years ago but my idea was individual bottles ...
Thanks for the feedback. It helps everyone in the community.
I have to check if the proper meds were dispensed? Really? If the machine is wrong Imagine my poor Granny. Plus I must shake it when it gets stuck. Plus its new.
It’s a piece of crap. 99 dollars plus 29 a month just for the machine to work. If you don’t pay then it’s a fancy brick
How do I get on with the pricing regimen you announced? When I talked to them it was higher
For the price of the machine try the code CART75 for $75 off. I know it worked for me and the total price was $24.99 with shipping. YMMV though with the coupon code
Costs too much.
This is expensive and complicated!! Seriously overpriced garbage product for seniors
You're right. The key opens a door but does not dispense my drugs. DUHHH!!!
It seriously helps me in my late 30's and I take close to 20 meds. Saves me like a hour a day and the low pill reminder has saved my butt a few times. I am in a 30,000$ power chair and its not like I can jump in the car and go. With PTSD and Severe Physical issues it also takes the did I remember to take that dose factor out of the equation. Also you can set it up to notify others also if you miss a dose or x doses in a row so someone can either remind you or check on you. Ive got 5 Kids getting a hour of my life back a day is worth anything to me. Staying on track on my meds also helps me stay feeling better = more quality time with kiddos.
Neet
0:40 wtf?
What a pain in the ass. You have to plan your day just to load it let lone wait forever just to dispense.