Telepresence as an Aid for Medication Self-Management

The goal of this article is to explore ways to keep elderly individuals independent longer and able to remain in their own homes. Caregivers-whether professionals, family, or friends-are an integral facet in enabling elderly persons to be independent. One of the most challenging aspects of maintaining independence is the complex issue of medication self-management. The main focus of this study considers how the addition of telepresence to a new and as-yet-undeveloped dynamic automated medication-dispensing device could help individuals self-medicate. Through telepresence, patients could easily be connected to a variety of caregivers. © 2011 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.