First-Time Setup Guide

Version: 0.1.1 | Last Updated: 2026-01-07

Welcome to CareForMeds!

Let's get you set up in about 10 minutes. By the end, you'll have your medications tracked and reminders working.

Step 1: Create Your Account (2 minutes)

1. Go to careformeds.com
2. Click Sign Up
3. Enter your information:
   • Email address
   • Password (make it strong!)
   • Name
4. Click Create Account
5. Check your email and click the verification link

Tip: Use an email you check regularly — that's where important alerts go.

Step 2: Add Your First Medication (3 minutes)

You have two options:

Option A: Scan Your Prescription Label (Recommended)

1. Click Add Medication
2. Click Scan Label
3. Point your camera at the prescription bottle
4. Hold steady and tap Capture
5. Review the extracted information
6. Make any corrections
7. Click Save

Option B: Enter Manually

1. Click Add Medication
2. Fill in the details:
   • Medication name (from the bottle)
   • Strength (e.g., "10mg")
   • How often you take it
   • What time(s) of day
3. Click Save

Repeat for each medication you're taking.

Step 3: Set Up Reminders (2 minutes)

Never forget a dose:

1. Go to Settings (gear icon)
2. Click Notifications
3. Click Enable Push Notifications
4. When asked, click Allow
5. Choose when to be reminded:
   • 15 minutes before dose time
   • At dose time
   • Both

That's it! You'll now get a gentle reminder before each dose.

Step 4: Invite Family (Optional, 2 minutes)

Let family members help keep track:

1. Go to Settings > Family Access
2. Click Invite Family Member
3. Enter their email address
4. Choose what they can see:
   • View medications ✓
   • See adherence ✓
   • Get missed dose alerts ✓
5. Click Send Invitation

They'll receive an email to join your care team.

Step 5: Install the App (1 minute)

For the best experience, install CareForMeds on your home screen:

iPhone

1. Open CareForMeds in Safari
2. Tap the Share button (square with arrow)
3. Tap Add to Home Screen
4. Tap Add

Android

1. Open CareForMeds in Chrome
2. Tap the menu (three dots)
3. Tap Install app or Add to Home screen
4. Tap Install

Now you can open CareForMeds with one tap, just like any other app.

You're All Set!

Here's what will happen now:

• Reminders will appear before each scheduled dose
• Log doses by tapping the checkmark
• Check your dashboard to see how you're doing
• Family members (if invited) can see your progress

Quick Tips for Success

Make it a Habit

• Keep your phone near your medication spot
• Log doses right after taking them
• Check the app at the same time each day

Don't Aim for Perfect

• If you miss a dose, just log it and move on
• 80%+ adherence is the goal, not 100%
• Every logged dose is valuable data

Use Physical Tools Too

• Pill organizers work great alongside CareForMeds
• The app catches what you might miss
• Both together = best results

Need Help?

• In-app help: Click the ? icon
• Email: help@careformeds.com
• Guides: careformeds.com/help

What's Next?

Now that you're set up, explore these guides:

• Your Dashboard — Learn what everything means
• Logging Doses — Different ways to record doses
• Tracking Adherence — Understand your scores
• Managing Refills — Never run out

Thank you for choosing CareForMeds. You're taking an important step in managing your health. We're here to help every step of the way.