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tmoto
10-31-2006, 05:29 AM
All,
I am doing research for my Mom who has managed her Type 1 Diabetes for over 55 years. However, it's taking its toll and her eyesight is fading pretty quickly. She has her good days and bad days as far as eyesight is concerned. Our fear is that she'll either misread her blood glucose reading or take too much insulin; hence, the questions below.

Does anyone have any experience or opinion on devices like the VoiceMate (includes a voice reading in addition to the digital) from Roche Diagnostics (Accu-Check)?

Likewise, has anyone used any of the calibrated/(for visually impaired) insulin measuring devices like the Count-A-Dose (uses clicks so the user can "count" their units)?

As you can see, I'm trying to find available products for those visually impaired. Grateful for any thoughts, opinions or experiences. Thanks!

Todd
JediSkipdogg
10-31-2006, 05:45 AM
The voicemate is an excellent system. It not only tells you your BG, but it verifies the type of insulin you put in the matchine to make sure you grab the correct vial. However, if she has to use pens, then that's not a big deal.

There is also the Prodigy meter....which happens to be the cheapest most affordable option.

Prodigy Talking Glucose Meter-LSS Products (http://www.lssproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=481010)

THere is also an add-on for the One Touch Basic and Profile meters that connects into the dataport on them allowing them to turn into a talking meter. The problem with those two meters is they require and ungodly amount of blood.

I wish I knew more info on the Prodigy, but I'm not that familiar with it or anyone that uses it. Good luck.
melissata
10-31-2006, 02:15 PM
The insulin pens also click as each unit is dialed in, at least the disposible Humalog ones do. They also have the number in a little window. Depending on how bad her eyes are, she may be able to double check by using a magnifier to see the number.
lgvincent
10-31-2006, 02:56 PM
I know a person who uses a Voicemate but she no longer visits this board. I'll have to see if I can get any information from her.
JasonJayhawk
10-31-2006, 05:49 PM
I think there's another, much much less expensive option for a voice meter. I saw it advertised in a couple of diabetes magazines. In fact, reading out the glucose value was a standard feature of the meter (not a $200 add-on option). I think it is only being sold by a diabetes supply company in Florida. If you need more details and nobody else brings it up, I'll dig around for it.
JediSkipdogg
10-31-2006, 07:42 PM
I think there's another, much much less expensive option for a voice meter. I saw it advertised in a couple of diabetes magazines. In fact, reading out the glucose value was a standard feature of the meter (not a $200 add-on option). I think it is only being sold by a diabetes supply company in Florida. If you need more details and nobody else brings it up, I'll dig around for it.

WOuld it be that Prodigy link I posted above? That meter is only $30. However, not sure if insurance covers the strips for it. So, you may pay little for a meter, but be paying $200 a month in strips, which makes it a lost deal.
JasonJayhawk
10-31-2006, 07:58 PM
Do'h!!!! Yes, that is the one, Jedi. I've been so stressed today that I've been forgetting my own name. :turtle:
JediSkipdogg
10-31-2006, 08:02 PM
Do'h!!!! Yes, that is the one, Jedi. I've been so stressed today that I've been forgetting my own name. :turtle:

That's ok Jack. I understnad Jack.

So I looked in my insurance info and couldn't even find Prodigy in the book. Of course, I tried online, and their system is down. I'm just curious if they are covered at all.

So Jack, ever thought of changing your name to Jim? LOL...now I'm sure you really lost your mind on your name.
JasonJayhawk
10-31-2006, 08:07 PM
Woah, you actually did have me confused! Yikes!

The Prodigy is a tricky one -- the diabetic supply company that offers it often printed, "Sorry, no HMO's" in its ads. I think they might prefer Medicare patients, too. I think they have a unique holding on their device, but I remember reading something about the strips costing only about 50 cents each in "Diabetes Health" magazine a few months ago. Maybe they allow a person to buy directly from them, though.

I think I read that it only needs 0.6 microliters -- if that's the truth, I'm surprised we haven't seen people write about it more.
tmoto
11-01-2006, 06:30 PM
All, thanks for the responses.. I did some quick searching on the Prodigy monitor and found the following:

Monitor: $27.49
Test Strips: $17.49 (or, $0.35/strip) for 50

Per American Diabetes (americandiabeteswholesale.com). If I don't find anything else comparatively, I'll probably order the monitor and test strips and then post when I get feedback from my Mom. Even with shipping, I think I can buy both for under $60..

Todd
arath13
11-01-2006, 07:32 PM
I have heard from a couple of people that the Prodigy is not good. I heard error galore for the strips and I also heard accuracy is questionable.

OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:wavey: :wavey: :wavey: