If my father doesn't take his medications, he will die. As his son, what can I do to force him?

What is the problem? Is he just wanting to die already? If it were my dad, I'd be sitting him down and telling him how selfish he's being. He's still got his brain for crying out loud, he's only got a bad ticker? What a crock that is. And if my dad sill wouldn't take his meds, then I'd leave him alone. I'd REALLY leave him alone by not going to see him, no more visits etc. He can just kill himself, by himself and not make me an accomplice. But then, that's what I would do.

I would call his doctor and talk to him or the office nurse about it.

Your father continues to have his right to make his own health care decisions as long as he is mentally capable to do so. Talk to his doctor ask him/her what their opinion is of your fathers mental status.

You can't force him to do anything while his mind is clear even when my husband showed signds of dementia the social worker told me I was wrong -yiu might have hie evaluated by his doc and if he says he can make his own decisions and is mind is clear I would report this to social services and just stay away it will only be a stressor for you do not get caught up in his crazeness he enjoys the attention you can call him on occasion and ask how he is then go about your own life he relishes all this attention and probably enjoys making you misserable this type of behaivior is not uncommon, been there done that-

Firstly don't give up on your father, continue to love him and visit and express that he is needed, of value and you and you want him around. That said, a refusal to take meds might indicate less than clear thought and while you might believe him to be mentally ok, he is not. The reason needs to be determined. Has your father shared thoughts in the past about being ill? Be patiient and investigate and do seek the advice of an experienced doctor. Some might involve others to help such as clergy, other children, attorney, friends. Easy does it though. Balance respect with "your desire". It is his life. But, he really needs to understand that his life, the continuation thereof, means the world to you and others. Maybe he has a reason. Know the reason and help to put the reason/objection into context. Just don't push and make him defensive. Love works.

i agree whole heartedly with chadburbage1. he is right on the mark about what to do in this situation. we should never completely abandon our loved ones no matter what. we should always be there for them and let them know how much we care no matter what.

Doctors don't always have the answer to life's problems. They ALWAYS push a pill down someone's throat and then collect their 150 bucks for the office visit.
There are MANY other ways to fight CHF such as diet and exercise.

Have you asked him how the medication makes him feel? Maybe he doesn't like the way it makes him feel, because there are side affects to ALL medication. And to the person who said they would "leave him alone", I bet the person you are taking care of is either dead or wishing they were.

Doc Sylvester18 its not vitamins its congestive heart failure,and high blood pressure medicines!

Steven, My father died of congestive heart failure at 75. His heart had become enlarged and hardened from years of high blood pressure not being controlled. He did not want to die. He had a pace maker put in and saw a cardiologist and medical doctor faithfully. He tried cutting out salty foods and fluids. He tried exercise and elevating his bed. He took a water pill. His heart could not pump the fluids through his body efficiently anymore. He had to be hospitalized 3-4 times a year to get "drained". He would fall down because the blood was not getting pumped to his brain. His legs and feet swelled like cantaloupes. It is a slow and miserable death. All you can do is make sure he is safe, comfortable and loved. June

I would encourage you to remember he is an adult... I know that you love him and you want him to take his medication so he will be okay. I have gone thru this with my Mom... take care,J