so, just how far do you go with an old woman who has meds that interfere with alcohol and all she does is tipple all through the day. brandy, wine.
she is 91 years old, an RN, so she knows d**n well what they can do.
God forbid you deprive her of alcohol.
Should I care if one day they interact? She's 91, her walking ability is steadily decreasing, she is increasingly unable to see the TV, she can't hear. There is nothing left for her because she is too high and mighty to go and interact with other seniors. (she did that when she was in the nursing home a while back... long story...too high and mighty).
If they interact, so be it.

This is a great article. If you do not have knowledge with medications. The best thing to do is have an RN or LVN manage your loved one medications. I am currently going through this with my mother and fighting with my siblings on this subject . I do not have the knowledge base in pharmacology. There are so many variables when taking medication that we dont realize. Remeber knowledge is caring . Bless you all for taking care of your loved ones.

When I was a live in supervisor (for the caregiver crew. Elder as 2 person assist)for a 89 year old lady that took several medications, the first thing I did was look on the Internet for exactly what the meds were for, side effects to look for, if they should be taken with food, etc., and how other meds may interact with them. Dr.s make mistakes sometimes, or do not give you enough information, nor the pharmacist. One of the drugs were not working right, and even the nurses could not figure it out. As it turned out, the vitamins she was taking interfered with the medication. I rescheduled the time she took her vitamins, and the med worked fine. Her doctor also prescribed another medication after awhile, and guess she did not check her chart, as this med would interact with another med, and could possibly kill her if she took this new med. I highly encourage everyone to read all about meds their seniors are taking and why. This really helps.

Gee, you don't say the kinds of things that can happen with OTC and prescribed meds. Drugs meant to stop delusions...can make them worse, for instance. Then the caregiver stands there looking at the bottle wondering if MORE is better to stop the extreme behavior.

Sleepiness...those younger can recognize when a bout of sleepiness is caused by a drug, but the senior might just look dull, depressed, mentally incapable...with dementia. What is the person's true state? and what is dementia? What is "call hospice" decline?

Another thing to watch for is change in taste, from direct contact with toxic tasting powders to pills that actually change sensation of taste. Meds are refused...meals are refused cause you try to hide meds in applesauce. And you think what? They are refusing sustenance, being combative. Nothing is good enough. Who knows where this leads? And refusing food is often thought to be sign to have hospice assessment.

I found that meds can be formulated in oral liquid in special tastes that counteract that med's specific awful taste. A spray, Yo Gabba Gabba, can coat the mouth and tongue to allow meds to slip by unnoticed. A slick spray can be applied to pills for ease of swallowing. There are so many things to consider...and just following the instructions on the Rx bottle is just the start.

It takes a lot of work to keep a senior out of trouble from those very chemicals meant to help them.