How Can I Manage Pill Counts on the Hero Dispenser?
Managing pill counts on the smart dispenser is essential for accurate alerts and notifications. This guide provides instructions for updating, and maintaining pill counts to ensure a seamless experience with your device.
Updating the Pill Count on the Device
Follow these steps to update the pill count on the Hero smart dispenser:
Press any button to access the main menu.
Select the 'Pill Status' option.
Navigate to the medication you want to check and select it.
Choose 'Check Cartridge' to access the cartridge of the selected medication.
Use the 'Update Pill Count' option and enter the exact number of pills in the cartridge using the on-screen keypad.
Confirm your entry. This will create a new baseline pill count for that cartridge.
Return the cartridge to the dispenser and close the door securely.
You can repeat this process for all medications stored in the device to ensure tracking accuracy.
Best Practices for Maintaining Accurate Pill Tracking
Refill Properly: Always use the 'Refill' option on the device when adding pills, and once on 'Pill Count' screen you can either:
add the exact number of pills being loaded, and the device will sum these with the existing count.
'Skip' adding the exact number of pills being loaded, and the device will switch to estimate mode. In estimating mode, after refill, Hero needs 10 dispenses to estimate pill level.
The estimated pill level is generally accurate for average-sized pills; however, if your pills are very small or very large, it's best to use the exact pill count for more precise tracking.
Monitor Notifications: The dispenser will notify you when the pill count runs low, typically at 7 days remaining. Keep track of these alerts to avoid missed doses.
Troubleshooting
My Hero says my meds are low, but they are not
This happens when Hero estimates pill level for very small pills - this is why we recommend updating the pill count on the smart dispenser. Always set an exact pill count during refills to override volume-based estimation and improve accuracy, as small pill sizes often cause the system to miscalculate.
FAQs
How do I know how many pills are left?
You can check how many pills are left either on the Hero app or on the smart dispenser.
On the Hero app:
Go to the Meds tab.
Select your medication.
Look for the 'Supply left' box that will show you number of days left if you're adding the exact pill count when refilling, or high/medium/low estimate if you skip adding exact pill count.
On the Hero smart dispenser:
Press any button to access the main menu.
Select the 'Pill Status' option.
Navigate to the medication you want to check and select it.
I received a notification that my mom has a medicine that is low. Where do I see which one?
To see which medication is low, open the Hero phone app and go to the Meds tab. You'll see your medication list there, and any medication that's running low or empty will be visibly marked so.
How will Hero know if I’m running low on pills?
Hero smart dispenser provides couple of ways of tracking your pill levels to make sure that you never run low.
Our platform estimates your pill levels and alerts you when they're low, both in the app and on the smart dispenser. This way, you can stay on top of your medication supply.
For more granular tracking, you can add the exact pill count when adding or refilling a medication. This will give you an even more accurate estimate of your pill levels and help you plan for when it's time to refill your medication.
As a general rule, you’ll need to refill each medication approximately every 90 days, assuming standard-sized pills. However, refill frequency may vary based on:
✅ Pill size – Larger pills take up more space, reducing capacity.
✅ Dosage frequency – Medications taken multiple times per day will need refilling sooner.
✅ Number of pills per dose – If a single dose requires multiple pills, your supply will deplete faster.