Kitchen

• drinking enough
• remembering to drink

A bottle, cup or device that is designed to give a reminder to drink fluids regularly. There are devices that either attach to a bottle or cup or which the bottle or cup stands on and there are cups and bottles with this function built in. They give a reminder to drink by either flashing or making a noise or both and some link to an app on a smart phone or smart watch. There are also some that record how much fluid has been drunk. Some come with personalisation settings to add a person’s voice for reminders.

You can find and buy these products by searching phrases such as 'smart drinking reminder' / 'reminder drinking cup' 'smart water bottles' or 'smart drinking cup' on the internet. They are also sometimes available from shops which sell water bottles or fitness equipment.

• Staying healthy: drinking enough fluid is important to stay healthy 
• Increased Independence: Someone with memory difficulties being able to drink enough without needing someone else to provide reminders.

Before purchasing a specialist bottle, cup or device to give a reminder to drink, think about whether the person has anything that they already use that can do this, smart phones, smart watches and smart speakers can all usually be set up to give regular reminders. Its worth trying this before spending money on a specialist device. 

• Function: Does it work in a way that will work for the person who will be using it, for example a flashing reminder isn't going to work if the person moves around a lot and might not be near it, will the person be able to hear a noise reminder, will the person understand what they need to do if it flashes or makes a noise or do they need a voice to speak an instruction. Does the device need to do anything other than give drinking reminders? If so some versions have other functions such as: keeping a drink warm, linking to an app that measures how much has been drunk or being able to add other reminders such as moving around. Choose the device that is right for the person. 
• Ease of use: Think about how easy the product is to use. Will help be needed to start using it, who can do this?
• Suitability: Consider if this product will work for the person who will be using it. Can it be cleaned easily. If it is connected to an app, will this work? Who will make sure any updates are installed so the app continues to work? If the device needs an app, is it compatible with the smartphone or tablet owned? Will it need to be taken out and about? 
• Information Sharing: If using an app with the smart drinking reminder/ cup/ bottle consider what health/ personal data is being collected and what the privacy settings are. 
• Cost and Value for money: These products can be different prices. Think about whether this is going to work and if it needs batteries what the ongoing cost of these will be. Who will make sure the batteries are replaced?