Mom, with her LBD, needs to take her medications. She doesn't like them, and many times she doesn't want to. However, she must.
I'm not sure how they handle it at St. A's, but I believe they hand them to her and wait while she does. This is also with a glass of water in hand, which is easily refilled as she ingests.
When I have the medications, she wants to know what each is for. So, I tell her. The first one is for her (back) pain (or any other pain she's experiencing at the time) - that's the Vicodin.
The second is for her eyes and to help stave off the macular degeneration - that's the Selenium.
The third is for her anxiety, and to keep her calm and able to think clearly (this is the hardest one to sell) - that's the Quietepine (aka Seroquel).
Now, Mom takes but three during the day. In the morning, she also takes her Vitamin C and her pills for her blood pressure. The VitC's are gummis, and she chews on those. They're enjoyable - almost like candy. Before, though, she had a terrible time swallowing the pills, even after they had been cut smaller. So, the gummis work quite well. I'm sure if we could find the other medications in that form they would go down much more easily!
The blood pressure medications she takes after they tell her what it is. She may tell them she's healthy and doesn't need it, but take it she does. Whew!
About a year ago, though, Mom had to take so many different pills after visiting the Optometrist. There was an entire regimen of minerals and vitamins (over $100 worth) she needed to ingest just to keep the macular degeneration at bay. Then the doctor told us just to take Accuvite, which has everything already in it and it's much cheaper! So, Mom went from taking about 16 pills in the morning to about 7 (the gummis account for 4 of those). Much better!
I also realize there are others who have troubles getting their loved ones or patients to take their medications, and aside from just handing them to them and waiting, there has to be something else.
If you're still interested in more reading on the topic, I've listed a few sites below for reference. Good Luck!
When Dementia Patients Refuse Medication
Refusing To Take Alzheimer's Medication
How Do You Get An Alzheimer's Patient to Take Her Medication?
What To Do When Patients Refuse Medication?
Helping Alzheimer's Patients Take Their Medications
I'm not sure how they handle it at St. A's, but I believe they hand them to her and wait while she does. This is also with a glass of water in hand, which is easily refilled as she ingests.
When I have the medications, she wants to know what each is for. So, I tell her. The first one is for her (back) pain (or any other pain she's experiencing at the time) - that's the Vicodin.
The second is for her eyes and to help stave off the macular degeneration - that's the Selenium.
The third is for her anxiety, and to keep her calm and able to think clearly (this is the hardest one to sell) - that's the Quietepine (aka Seroquel).
Now, Mom takes but three during the day. In the morning, she also takes her Vitamin C and her pills for her blood pressure. The VitC's are gummis, and she chews on those. They're enjoyable - almost like candy. Before, though, she had a terrible time swallowing the pills, even after they had been cut smaller. So, the gummis work quite well. I'm sure if we could find the other medications in that form they would go down much more easily!
The blood pressure medications she takes after they tell her what it is. She may tell them she's healthy and doesn't need it, but take it she does. Whew!
About a year ago, though, Mom had to take so many different pills after visiting the Optometrist. There was an entire regimen of minerals and vitamins (over $100 worth) she needed to ingest just to keep the macular degeneration at bay. Then the doctor told us just to take Accuvite, which has everything already in it and it's much cheaper! So, Mom went from taking about 16 pills in the morning to about 7 (the gummis account for 4 of those). Much better!
I also realize there are others who have troubles getting their loved ones or patients to take their medications, and aside from just handing them to them and waiting, there has to be something else.
If you're still interested in more reading on the topic, I've listed a few sites below for reference. Good Luck!
When Dementia Patients Refuse Medication
Refusing To Take Alzheimer's Medication
How Do You Get An Alzheimer's Patient to Take Her Medication?
What To Do When Patients Refuse Medication?
Helping Alzheimer's Patients Take Their Medications
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