what to do when an alzheimers patient refuses to take his medicine
Why would someone with Alzheimer'due south turn down medication?
Getting someone with Alzheimer's or dementia to accept their medicine can be an ongoing claiming for many caregivers.
Refusing to take medication could be a response to being confused or feeling afraid of what they're beingness asked to exercise.
Your older adult might likewise experience like they don't have any control over their life, which could brand them generally angry or resistant.
To make this important task easier and less stressful, nosotros've got 11 tips to overcome challenges and convince someone to take their medicine.
xi means to get someone with dementia to take medication
1. Create a calm and placidity environment
When information technology's fourth dimension for medication, commencement with a at-home surround.
Make sure there aren't any loud sounds like TV or commotion like lots of people around. You could too try playing soft, soothing music.
Before yous start, take some deep breaths and practise your best to stay calm throughout the procedure.
If yous're agitated, frustrated, or aroused, it's probable they'll exist able to sense it and that can cause them to get agitated and less likely to cooperate.
ii. Be alert to side effects or illness that make them experience sick or uncomfortable
Someone might reject to accept their medicine if it makes them feel sick, uncomfortable, or if they have an illness.
Many medications crusade unpleasant side effects like nausea, breadbasket aches, agitation, or dizziness and your older developed might not exist able to tell y'all that at that place'southward a trouble.
If you lot suspect this could exist the consequence, speak to the doctor virtually how to improve the situation.
They could also have something else going on similar dental bug that make their gums or teeth hurt, poorly fitting dentures, a urinary tract infection, a cold or flu, or a sore throat.
3. Eliminate medications or supplements that aren't absolutely necessary
Many seniors have multiple medications. Sometimes doctors forget to review medications to encounter if they're yet needed.
The last matter you need is to endeavor to get your older adult to accept more pills than admittedly necessary.
Speak with their medico to meet if any medications are no longer needed and could be safely discontinued.
Fewer pills = less hassle over taking medicine.
four. Make pills easier to take
Some pills could be likewise big and hard to swallow.
Talk with your older adult's dr. or pharmacist to meet if whatsoever of their medications could be changed to a liquid formula or if you could crush the pills and add together them to absurdity, yogurt, or food.
Make sure to ask earlier crushing any pills because non all pills are crushable. Some can get less effective or even unsafe.
five. Apply brusque sentences and don't explain or reason
Don't get into a conversation nearly why they need the medication or explain why it's important that they need to take their pills.
R easoning with someone with dementia simply doesn't work. Instead, employ short, direct sentences to help them attain the goal.
For instance, you could just hand them the pill, demonstrate what yous want them to do by putting a pretend pill in your ain oral fissure, and wait patiently for them to put their own pill into their mouth, and then say "Big drink of h2o."
half-dozen. Expect for things that trigger distress
Sometimes other things well-nigh taking medication can upset someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.
For example, they could feel distressed when they see a lot of pill bottles. In that state of affairs, you could proceed their medication bottles out of sight and only bring out the pills they need to take at that moment.
Similarly, if seeing all the pills they demand to take makes them anxious, you lot could give them merely one pill at a time and keep the rest out of sight.
7. Be their medication buddy
Taking your own medicine at the same time they do can make information technology more than of a buddy experience. Y'all might say, "Information technology's time for our medicine. Here'southward mine and hither's yours."
If you don't take whatever medications, see if you tin can get away with "taking" a harmless food item like an Yard&Thousand or Skittles candy.
8. Don't force information technology, attempt once again in 10-xv minutes
Sometimes in that location's nothing you can say or do to get your older adult to take their medication.
I f that happens, don't endeavour to strength information technology. Go out them solitary for a bit so y'all can both calm downwards. In 15 minutes (or then), give it another endeavour.
9. Find the correct time of day
People with dementia often have "expert" and "bad" times of day. Trying to give medicine during ane of their bad times isn't likely to piece of work.
For instance, if your older adult typically gets sundowning symptoms, avoid giving medication in the belatedly afternoon or evening unless the doctor absolutely requires it for an of import medical reason.
Think near the times of day when they're in the all-time moods and adjust their medication schedule to run across those times.
Of grade, before making any changes to their medication schedule, talk with their doctor to brand sure the new schedule you'd like to use is safe and won't crusade whatever problems.
x. Stick to a daily routine
A daily routine can do wonders for someone with dementia.
With a regular schedule for taking medication, your older adult will likely go used to it and become more cooperative over fourth dimension.
Requite them their pills at the same time every solar day. Do information technology in the aforementioned place, like when they're relaxing in their favorite chair, and use the aforementioned cup for water.
For some people, making medication part of their after-repast routine works well considering they're nonetheless in "eating mode."
eleven. Offer a treat
Immature or erstwhile, we all love treats. You might consider offer a treat as a reward for taking their medication.
For example, put a small piece of chocolate in front end of your older adult and say that it'south their care for subsequently they finish their pills.
It might even help take away any bitter taste the medicine leaves and associates something positive with taking medicine.
Recommended for you:
- Responding to 4 Mutual Dementia Accusations: Stealing, Poisoning, Beingness Held Prisoner
- six FDA-Approved Medications for Alzheimer's Handling
- Solve Challenging Alzheimer's Behaviors with Skillful Communication Tips
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: GPonline
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Source: https://dailycaring.com/11-ways-to-get-someone-with-dementia-to-take-medication/