How can I manage medication while traveling / away from home?
The Hero app and Hero smart device offer three modes to support travel:
Traveling/away from home - future dispense meds in bulk and the Hero app will remind you when it's dose time. Feature available in the Hero app.
Future dose dispense - future dispense in doses (up to 7 doses) - use it when you won't be not near your Hero at a scheduled dose time and need to take the dose with you. If you are going to be away from Hero longer than that, use 'Traveling/away from home'. Feature available in the Hero smart dispenser.
If you are planning to take Hero smart dispenser with you, use transportation mode to remove all the medication and insert the travel bar for safety. Feature available in the Hero smart dispenser.
Transportation Mode and Vacation Mode. Transportation Mode prepares the device for safe transportation by securing its components, while Vacation Mode allows users to either retrieve medications in bulk or temporarily pause device dispensing while continuing to receive mobile notifications. Below are step-by-step guides to set and manage these modes effectively.
Setting Traveling/away from home (vacation) Mode via the Hero Mobile App
To activate Vacation Mode on your Hero Mobile App:
Open the Hero Mobile App and go to the More section.
Select Traveling / Away from home and tap Start.
When prompted with the question, "Do you need Hero to dispense medication?", choose one of the following options: - Select Yes to retrieve your doses before traveling. - Select No, just reminders if you do not need the doses to be dispensed from the Hero device during your travel.
Tap Next, and then select your departure date and departure time. Press Next.
Choose your return date and time, then select Next.
Review the Vacation Mode details and ensure all information is correct. If it is, tap Looks right and then Next.
If you have any medications stored outside Hero, acknowledge the prompt reminding you to pack them, and then select Next.
Tap Close to complete the setup on the app.
While in Vacation Mode, you’ll continue to receive medication reminders based on your set schedule. Be sure to mark doses as taken within the app to maintain medication adherence records.
Configuring the Hero Device for Traveling/away from home (vacation) Mode
If you need to retrieve medications for your trip, additional steps are required on the Hero smart dispenser:
As the last step of the app setup in case you want to retrieve your meds, tap Prepare my meds.
On the Hero device, press the Confirm button.
When prompted to retrieve medications, select Yes. If you opt for "No", you can always retrieve medications later by going to Dispense > Vacation Mode on the Hero device.
For each medication, the device will display the name and quantity to remove. Select Next to continue.
Open the door as prompted, take the specified pills, reinsert the medication cartridge fully until it clicks, and then close the door. Repeat these steps for each medication.
Once all medications are retrieved, the Vacation Mode setup on your device is complete.
Special Considerations While in Vacation Mode
Notifications: While the Hero device is in Vacation Mode, you will receive mobile app reminders for your scheduled doses. For every dose, mark it as "I took it" in the Hero app to log adherence. The Hero device will not prompt dispense alerts during this mode.
Connectivity: you can unplug the smart dispenser at this poing and log medication adherence on the Hero app.
Compliance: It is recommended to store dispensed medications in their original pharmacy-labeled packaging when traveling to ensure adherence to local regulations and for proper identification during transit.
FAQs
How do I edit vacation?
The only way to edit Vacation once it starts is to end the current one on the Hero smart dispenser (or wait for the current vacation to expire), and create a new one through the App.
Already on Vacation?
Once you're next to Hero smart dispenser, press the center button on your Hero smart dispenser to end vacation and start a new one.
Not on Vacation Yet?
Open the Hero App on your smartphone.
Go to the "More" tab.
Select "Traveling/Away from Home."
Access "Details" and click "Cancel My Vacation."
Confirm your choice when prompted. Now you can create a new vacation.
How to end vacation mode
Already on Vacation?
Simply press the center button on your Hero smart dispenser.
Not on Vacation Yet?
Open the Hero App on your smartphone.
Go to the "More" tab.
Select "Traveling/Away from Home."
You should see two tabs: "Schedule" and "Details. Tap on "Details" on the right hand side and then scroll down to "Cancel My Vacation."
Confirm your choice when prompted.
Still having trouble? Unplug the smart dispenser for 30 seconds and plug it back in to refresh the connection, or contact Hero support at 855-855-9962.
Summary of Options
Use Just reminders in Vacation Mode if you don’t need medications retrieved.
Use Yes when the app asks you if you need Hero to dispense your medication, if you want to retrieve medications ahead of your trip while continuing dose monitoring via app notifications.
While Hero is in Vacation Mode, you can export your schedule to a PDF through the Vacation Mode menu in the app.
Transport Mode enables safe transportation of the Hero device. Ensure that all medications are removed, and the travel bar is inserted before transport.
Store dispensed medications in their original pharmacy-labeled packaging when traveling to comply with regulations and facilitate medication identification.
By following these instructions, you can effectively manage your medication schedule during vacations or trips while ensuring all necessary precautions are in place.