Medication reminders for an ageing parent
Set it up once on their iPhone. They get a reminder they can answer from the Lock Screen, and you get an update when they choose to send one.
Set it up in one visit
Sit beside them with their phone and their medication boxes. Allow about 20 minutes.
- Install Cadence on their iPhone and allow notifications. There is no account or email to set up.
- Add each medication by pointing the camera at the pharmacy label, then check the name and dose against the box.
- Set the times their doctor or pharmacist gave. Turn on Critical Alerts for any medication that should sound even on silent.
- Enter how many tablets are in each box so they get a reminder before running out.
- Show them how to send you a daily update, and agree how often they will.
The full walkthrough, with what to bring and what to check a week later, is in our guide to setting up medication reminders on a parent's iPhone.
Reminders that are hard to miss
Answer from the Lock Screen
Take, snooze or skip straight from the notification. No unlocking, no hunting for the app.
A second nudge
If a reminder goes unanswered, Cadence follows up, so one missed buzz is not the end of it.
Critical Alerts
Turn it on per medication and that reminder sounds even on silent or Do Not Disturb.
Dose windows
A dose taken a little late still counts as on time, within a window you choose.
Refill countdown
The count goes down as doses are logged, with a reminder before the box runs out.
Apple Watch
If they wear one, they can confirm a dose from the wrist.
How you stay in the loop
Your parent sends you a summary when they choose to: Settings, then Reports and sharing, then Send caregiver update. It lists each of today's doses, its time and whether it was taken, missed or still to come. They can send it by message or email.
Cadence does not alert you automatically when a dose is missed. Everything stays on their phone, and they decide what to share.
For appointments, Cadence Pro makes a PDF of their medication history to print or show the doctor. Pro is a one-time purchase. Everything above it on this page is free.
Helpful reading
Set it up on their phone today
Free on iPhone and Apple Watch. No account, no subscription and their data stays on their phone.
Download Cadence freeCadence organises reminders and records. It does not give medical advice. Doses and times always come from their doctor or pharmacist.