Digital medication dispensers are helping older people to stay independent in their own homes in Wales.

The devices prompt the user to take their medication and deliver the appropriate dose at the right time.

If a dose is missed, the devices can alert family members or the council's alarm receiving centre.

70 patients trialled the devices over a 12-month period in Bridgend.

The trial was funded by the Welsh Government with support from the Life Sciences Hub and was offered to adults referred to Bridgend County Borough Council's social services who were struggling to safely manage their medicines. Reasons for this could be due to sensory loss, cognitive impairment or dexterity issues.

The pilot showed that the devices can promote independence, reduce the need for care packages and potentially reduce hospital admissions due to medication errors. Staff were also freed up for other work.

The devices also free up unpaid-informal carers by reducing the need for medication-related visits by family members. 83 per cent of family members reported feeling more supported, less isolated, and more confident that the person they cared for was being supported more effectively.

Four out of five people who took part in the trial were able to use the device successfully.

The project has been shortlisted for an NHS Wales Award.

Bridgend County Borough Council have secured additional funding to ensure participants can continue to use these devices for as long as they need them and to support new users.

Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden, said: "This innovative project demonstrates how the right technology, combined with expert support, can help people maintain their independence and continue doing the things they love.

"The results speak for themselves – 80% medication adherence, reduced pressure on our care services, and most importantly, people feeling more confident and supported in their own homes.

"This is exactly the kind of preventative, person-centred approach we need as we build an NHS and social care system fit for the future."

Thomas Sauter, Clinical Lead Pharmacist at Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, said: "By working together as an integrated health and social care team, we’ve been able to support people to take their medicines independently and safely. That independence makes a real difference — not just to individuals, but to their families, who feel more reassured and have reduced worries about daily medication."