Jennifer Mathews: Michael Palaia is HIV-positive. His mix of medications has to be taken at exact times every day. When he misses a doze, the disease gets harder to fight.
Adriana Andrade: If the medications aren't work anymore, the HIV basically takes over in the body, and it can cause several diseases that can basically take the patients to the hospital.
Jennifer Mathews: Now an electronic device called Jerry, make sure he stays on target.
Adriana Andrade: So I just want to go over your medications.
Jennifer Mathews: Here's how it works. When it's time to take the medication, Jerry beeps. Press Play and a recorded message tells him exactly what to take. Pressing yes records the time and date the medication has taken. The last button explains possible side effects.
Adriana Andrade: It's well known that if you tell the patient what to expect, if the patient experienced a side effect he is not going to stop to take the medication.
Jennifer Mathews: Jerry is expected to be especially useful for patients who have had age-related memory problems. Early studies show with the device, this group took up to 95% of its pills compared to 70% without the device.
Michael Palaia: So it has the device as a little alarmed clock that reminds me, has been really helpful. Without it, if I forget there is no backtracking.
Jennifer Mathews: The good news is when medications are taken properly, the disease can often be kept under control.
Jennifer Mathews: This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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