FAQs

Will the dispenser work during a power outage?

Yes. The dispenser has a rechargeable battery that will provide up to 18 hours of backup power during a power outage. If the power has been out for 10 hours and there is an emergency situation (such as a hurricane or snowstorm) where the power may not be restored for hours or days, please call the Support Center for assistance. NOTE: If you have a phone system that does not operate during a power outage, the dispenser's automatic monitoring service will be disabled.

Is the Philips Medication Dispensing Service compatible with VOIP?

Yes. Just like the Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service, the Philips Medication Dispensing Service is compatible with VOIP. "Non-traditional" phone services, like VOIP and other digital, broadband or internet-based phone services have important differences from "traditional" telephone services. Also, some of these new services have lower - and sometimes widely variable - reliability and quality of service. Your Philips Medication Dispensing Service depends on the reliability of your phone service. Contact Philips Lifeline for more information

Who loads medication into the dispenser?

The Philips Medication Dispensing Service is designed to assist people receiving help with medications today. Typically, people receive assistance from family, spouses or visiting nurses. Any of those individuals would be appropriate for loading medications.

Can two people in the same home use the dispenser?

No. Because medications are so important, each person in the home should have his or her own Philips Medication Dispensing Service to avoid errors with medication.

Can the dispenser hold liquid medication?

No. The dispenser should only be loaded with solid medications, however you may use a reminder message to alert you when it is time to take liquid medication.

What if the person using the dispenser is leaving home for an extended period of time?

The dispenser may be taken along. Simply unnplug the dispenser and reconnect it in the new location. Then call the Support Center to reactivate the dispenser.

What if no one is home and the red button is not pressed when a message is announced?

The message will be repeated once a minute. After 90 minutes with no response, the dispenser will consider the dose missed and move the medication cup to the missed dose storage bin. NOTE: The Philips Medication Dispensing Service will stop operating if four doses are missed and the missed dose status is not cleared.

What if medications change?

Because medications do change, it is best to load only as many days of medication as makes sense for the user. For instance, if the user has a doctor's appointment in one week, you should only load 7 to 10 days' worth of medication. This will minimize the number of medications cups that will have to be changed.

What is the Monitoring Service?

The dispenser is remotely monitored via phone line. If the subscriber misses a dose, the dispenser automatically places an alert call to the caregiver, enabling the caregivers to respond quickly.

Click here to download a troubleshooting document