Follow
Share

‘My mother who is my Father’s primary caregiver is having difficulty in getting my father to take his medications. He has been chewing some, spitting them back out in his glass, dropping them in his water glass, slipping them in his pockets, straight up refusing to take them. Some are for anxiety and agitation, others are prescriptions, and some are supplements added by my mother. Any ideas on how to get my father to take his meds would be greatly appreciated.

First, eliminate supplements and all but vital meds from his list. Find out which ones can be ground up or are available in liquid form to put into pudding. If you cannot get dad to take his meds, and he's well into dementia now, it may or may not hasten his demise which is not really a bad thing. I prayed daily for God to take my mother out of her misery with vascular dementia, so when she refused her meds, some were simply discontinued. The calming meds were ground up and put in her food.

It may be time for a hospice evaluation for dad now. You can ask his doctor to write an order for one to see if he qualifies. Hospice was a godsend for both of my folks.

Best of luck.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

Some that aren't awful tasting may be hidden in things like chocolate pudding. The time release things cannot. You do not tell us what meds he is on, but the fact is that medications to prolong life, when it is a life of Lewy's isn't something I would necessarily worry about without discussing with doctors.

I can't know your family's feelings of decisions about your father's last years with Lewy's nor what decisions you have made about prolonging his life. My own brother suffered from probable early onset Lewy's dementia and it was his fervent wish to die before it robbed him of his mind. He was lucky. He got sepsis from a small cut and he died of it before Lewy's could take the best of him.

I as an RN thing there is way too much pushing of medications on someone when they do not add to the quality of life, but are aimed solely at the quantity, but these are highly personal discussions for family, patient and MD.

I would discuss this with the doctor.
I sure do wish you the best.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

Thank you for your response. Yes eliminating any non essential meds was addressed at his last geriatric appt 2 months ago. Just discovered mom has added new ones. Ugg! She is going to try grinding up meds in his root beer float. Also going to try applesauce and pudding. He does have a follow up appt with his geriatric dr in 4weeks which may provide new insights and direction.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to TracieSchubert
Report
AlvaDeer Nov 24, 2024
That I think will not be taken by Dad. Pills in liquid tend to make it very unpalatable. Best thing is one spoonful in something strong and thick such as chocolate pudding.
Why is mom adding pills? Are these supplements and vitamins because quite honestly this can go dangerous pretty quick. She needs to know more pills, more work for the kidneys, the quicker those kidneys will die. Doctor can hopefully help in four weeks.
(0)
Report
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter