Equipment
Monitoring and medication
Pill organizers, reminders, and home monitors. Useful for reducing the number of things a caregiver has to hold in their head.
How to use this page
Every item below is listed with what it is for, the price band to expect, and the brands you will actually see. Ask your occupational or physical therapist which of these fits before you buy: much of it is covered as durable medical equipment with a physician order.
About the product links on this page. Where we link to a specific product, we earn a commission if you buy through it. It does not change the price you pay, and it does not influence which equipment we cover.
Monitoring and medication: 5 items
Medication
Automatic pill dispenser (locked/alarm)
Dispenses doses on schedule
- Typical price band
- $40–$100
- Brands you will see
- Hero, e-pill, MedELert
- Typical rating
- ~4.3★
- Commonly used for
- Dementia, Adherence
Health monitoring
Blood pressure monitor
Home BP tracking
- Typical price band
- $30–$60
- Brands you will see
- Omron, Greater Goods
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- General
Medication
Pill organizer (weekly/monthly)
Sort meds by day/time
- Typical price band
- $8–$20
- Brands you will see
- AUVON, Sukuos, Ellrise
- Typical rating
- ~4.7★
- Commonly used for
- Polypharmacy
Breathing, Health monitoring
Pulse oximeter
Blood oxygen / pulse spot check
- Typical price band
- $20–$40
- Brands you will see
- Zacurate, Wellue
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- Respiratory, ALS
Health monitoring
Digital thermometer
Temperature checks
- Typical price band
- $10–$25
- Brands you will see
- iProven, Femometer
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- General
What to monitor, and what not to
A monitor earns its place when the number would change what you do. If a reading would not change the plan, it tends to add worry rather than information. Ask the care team which numbers they actually want from home.
A normal pulse oximeter reading is not reassurance
In neuromuscular weakness the difficulty is moving air, not absorbing oxygen, so saturation can stay normal while someone is working very hard to breathe. Watch how they are breathing, not only the number. See breathing changes and when to call.
Organizers reduce the thing caregivers run out of
The value of a weekly organizer is not accuracy, it is not having to carry the schedule in your head. A locked dispenser with an alarm goes further when the person manages their own medicines and sometimes forgets whether they took them.
Blood pressure taken properly, or not at all
Same time of day, sitting, back supported, arm resting at about heart height, after five quiet minutes. Readings taken any other way send families to the clinic for nothing, or hide something that mattered.
Guides on this site
- Breathing changes: what to watch for
- Guides on ALS care, including medications
- Caregiver burnout and respite
Before you buy anything
Check our equipment coverage guide first. Many of these items are covered as durable medical equipment, and a loan closet or a rental is often the better call than buying. Product links on this site earn a commission. It never changes which equipment we cover.