We had the same problem. Eventually we just had to start handing her the pills.
Someone did tell us about a product on the market to help. Some kind of electronic dispenser. It is supposed to make a noise or announcement when it is time for medication and open the right compartment. If the pills aren't taken in a certain time, it shuts it down so they can't take too much later. There's even one that hooks to their phone. if the pills aren't taken, it is programmed to call you.
Google automatic or electronic pill dispenser and lots of choices come up. Good luck.
Have one of those for Mom, but it's more of a reminder for me to give them to her. She has PD and advanced dementia. It's getting harder and harder to get her to understand taking the pills. If your Mom is having this much trouble, maybe she can no longer live alone. Take her to her doctor and see if she is in the beginning stages of dementia. You may need to have someone with her at least at pill taking time if that is her only memory problem. Depending on what she takes meds for, it is always best to get them on time. If she forgets and takes them late, then takes the next dose soon after, there could be a big problem! The alarmed pill box is a lifesaver if you have your wits about you, otherwise, it's a good tool for caregivers.
We have had this dilemma with our Mom. Now it has gotten worse. She cannot remember when to take them and either forgets or takes multiple doses. She also likes to 'organize' her pills and pill bottle, dropping some, losing some, tucking some away and finding them later. We tried the electronic dispenser, but we are really past the stage where that is helpful. Now my brother holds onto the pills and dispenses them to her in the AM and PM. Very often, he has to allow her to 'organize' or rummage through the bottles before she will cooperate. Most of the time, Mom is in denial that she has any memory problems, and that we have to help her with anything. We have been paying her bills and caring for her in a very comprehensive way for three or four years, yet she still insists that she does all this herself and has never needed help, nor does she forget anything. She becomes combative and has broken down the door to my brother's upstairs apartment in an attempt to recover her medicines several times. We have considered giving her bottles with just a few pills in them or even placebos, but she still sounds quite rational on the phone and will call the pharmacy for refills, and again, she stashes and drops and loses pills and finds them later and takes them, off schedule. Has anyone experienced difficulties like this? We have tried everything we can think of or have read and researched into, but we would still welcome any suggestions. Her memory is extremely bad and she forgets any conversations and agreements after a few moments.
Mother has never taken so much as a vitamin regularly, and the concept of taking daily pills is totally foreign to her. She was taking a pill for high blood pressure and we discovered that she had only taken a third of them when it was time for a refill. Why? "Oh, when my ankles are swollen, I take one. Otherwise I don't." We had a very hard time convincing her that they were supposed to be preventative and taken every day. She just did not get it. We have tried all kinds of pill boxes, reminder calls, visits from a nurse, etc. Finally the nurse got an elaborate electric dispenser. The first time it went off, Ma didn't remember what to do, so she crawled under the table and unplugged it to shut off the alarm. Not exactly a safety practice we had in mind! But eventually she learned how to shut off the alarm and remove the appropriate pill box. Sister 1 visited and saw three pill boxes on the table, with their content still in them. She asked Ma why they were there. "Oh, I think those are just my blood-thinner pills." "Um, yes, Ma, I think they are. But why aren't you taking them when you get them out of the dispenser?" "Taking them? Oh, I don't think I'm supposed to be taking them. Hmm ... maybe I should ask the nurse." !!! The next day Sister 2 was there. Four unused pill boxes on the table. That week the visiting nurse left a message that she had found 3 full pill boxes in the waste basket, and that Mother claimed to know nothing about it.
It is worth trying everything you can think of to help your loved one take their medications regularly. But I believe there comes a time when it is not safe for someone with dementia/severe memory loss to live alone. We are at that point with our mother.
Phone medication reminders to your mother. Don't nag, but say, I will stay on the phone until you drink some water and take your meds. She may, however, get tired of this and lie to you or not answer the phone.
Yes, sometimes, as is repeated so often on here, our loved ones need more care than we can give. I am sure you did your best, it was not a failure to get her more care, but it was what she needed.
I was just going to share this song lyric with someone else, so my kindle is locked and loaded to copy and paste. I think you also may need some encouragement. Sharing:
Tell Your Heart to Beat Again Danny Gokey Lyrics You're shattered Like you've never been before The life you knew In a thousand pieces on the floor And words fall short in times like these When this world drives you to your knees You think you're never gonna get back To the you that used to be Tell your heart to beat again Close your eyes and breathe it in Let the shadows fall away Step into the light of grace Yesterday's a closing door You don't live there anymore Say goodbye to where you've been And tell your heart to beat again Beginning Just let that word wash over you It's alright now Love's healing hands have pulled you through So get back up, take step one Leave the darkness, feel the sun 'Cause your story's far from over And your journey's just begun Tell your heart to beat again
It is almost 6 am here. I wake up several times at night and often come here. I'm going back to bed.
Someone did tell us about a product on the market to help. Some kind of electronic dispenser. It is supposed to make a noise or announcement when it is time for medication and open the right compartment. If the pills aren't taken in a certain time, it shuts it down so they can't take too much later. There's even one that hooks to their phone. if the pills aren't taken, it is programmed to call you.
Google automatic or electronic pill dispenser and lots of choices come up. Good luck.
The alarmed pill box is a lifesaver if you have your wits about you, otherwise, it's a good tool for caregivers.
It is worth trying everything you can think of to help your loved one take their medications regularly. But I believe there comes a time when it is not safe for someone with dementia/severe memory loss to live alone. We are at that point with our mother.
Don't nag, but say, I will stay on the phone until you drink some water and take your meds.
She may, however, get tired of this and lie to you or not answer the phone.
Yes, sometimes, as is repeated so often on here, our loved ones need more care than we can give.
I am sure you did your best, it was not a failure to get her more care, but it was what she needed.
I was just going to share this song lyric with someone else, so my kindle is locked and loaded to copy and paste. I think you also may need some encouragement. Sharing:
Tell Your Heart to Beat Again
Danny Gokey
Lyrics
You're shattered
Like you've never been before
The life you knew
In a thousand pieces on the floor
And words fall short in times like these
When this world drives you to your knees
You think you're never gonna get back
To the you that used to be
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again
Beginning
Just let that word wash over you
It's alright now
Love's healing hands have pulled you through
So get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun
'Cause your story's far from over
And your journey's just begun
Tell your heart to beat again
Or, a coincidence that I should also choose health and turn out that light?
See All Answers