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Has anyone else had difficulty persuading person to take pills?

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Orlando, FL

Mom refuses to take medication (pills) prescribed by the PCP and her cardiologist. Not because of difficulty swallowing them, but because she insists she has already done so and this will result in double-dosing. I put her meds in a pill box every week and can show her the appropriate day/compartment the pills were taken out of. I let her see me take them out of the box. I explain what each one is for and its name. I have printed up a list of color/shape/size and rationale for administration… read more

May 29, 2016 (edited)
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Answer Summary

Members shared deeply relatable experiences with loved ones refusing medications due to dementia-related confusion, paranoia, or insistence... Read more

Members shared deeply relatable experiences with loved ones refusing medications due to dementia-related confusion, paranoia, or insistence that pills had already been taken, with many finding that crushing or dissolving pills into favorite foods like ice cream, yogurt, applesauce, or pudding—with attention to presentation—was the most effective workaround. Several members suggested creative strategies including automatic pill dispensers, making medication administration feel like the person's own idea, using reverse psychology by pretending not to care, or involving them in creating a medication schedule to restore a sense of control. A recurring theme was the emotional exhaustion of caregiving around the clock, the heartbreak of watching a loved one struggle, and the importance of patience, compassion, and sometimes accepting that you can only do your best when someone is in the later stages of the disease.

A myALZteam Member

I found an automattic pill dispenser on Amazon that I can program for dispensing pills twice a day for up to two weeks. You can program the Time of day it turns and exposes the slot with the pills in it. It will do a beeping alarm or just blink until the device is turned over to dispense the pills. Oh, and it locks so they cannot get into it.

June 8, 2016
A myALZteam Member

Crush the pills in a pill crush and open the capsules and dump them in applesauce, ice cream, anything you can get her to eat. If you have to feed her then so be it. I am fortunate as all my mom takes is B12 and Tylenol occassionally but my dad took alot of meds when he was sick and this was my way to get him to take them. Good Luck! The one thing I have found is to try and make things her idea.

June 6, 2016
A myALZteam Member

I'm sure being an RN is messing with her mind more! (I'm an RN too) I was going to suggest just the days doses out but realize that might not work either. Maybe just maybe she needs to read the pill vials (if able) to believe! Like she was still an RN? Can someone be with her to supervise instead of having them ready for her? My RN mind says to ask her what the medicine is for. Of course this all depends on what stage she is in. Please let us know if something works! My mother in law takes double doses if meds left out 😥

June 1, 2016
A myALZteam Member

We still have difficulty at times, but I think the seroquel is helping with just everything in general. Thanks.

June 10, 2016
A myALZteam Member

Did you find an answer for your loved one?

June 8, 2016

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