This isn't likely to get easier, unfortunately, until she gets past this stage of the disease. You might try talking to a friend she trusts to see if that person can help. Otherwise, third party supervision (non-family, such as an in-home agency) may be necessary. Try talking with the doctor, and even your local social services and/or Alzheimer's Association for some guidance. Take care, Carol
My mother did the same thing. At first, she refused all. I said if she did not at least take the little pills, she would end up in the hospital again and she went for it. I have not gotten her back on all pills, but, I use a supplement to replace the daily supplement. I was using the diabetic boost for less sugar and more nutrients, though she isn't diabetic. I now switched to using spirutein, which you can get in health food stores in a can. The flavors and nutrients are better. You can also check with your pharmacist on which pills you can grind up and then put them in the milkshake. I do not ask if she wants this, I just hand her the milkshake and of course, make a big deal out of me giving her a yummy milkshake. Also, ask her doctor to help you change pills, if necessary, so you can do this. Benefiber is good for both not being able to go and going too much and can be added in to any liquid. I hope this helps and hang in there.
My mom just went through a few months where she was refusing her meds, It started out just every now and then but soon became outright refusal. I realized that perhaps I was making too big a deal out of it and that she was enjoying the 'scene' it was causing. lately I just place them with her meals and she has been taking them again.
My mom (90) has been refusing meds or trying to for quite some time. I have gone over her meds and made a list of most important and start with those. She prefers to put them in applesauce (not crushed up just pop the pills in the applesauce and then eat that) and we have discovered Mango Peach Applesauce and Strawberry Applesauce. I find that rotating flavors and reducing what meds I can has helped make it less of a problem of late. I also write down what she has taken so that when she says " I already took these" I can show her what she took.
It really is about control. She has lost control of so many things in the past year that saying NO is one thing she can do. I try to remind myself of this.
I have also worked with doctors to us Extended Relief versions if available for things she takes...means taking one a day instead of 2 or 3. Trade two pills for one...so ask about that.
We also try very hard to only have meds twice a day AM and PM (except pain meds - which are more flexible as needed) that means only two arguments about pills and gives me several hours to get those AM pills in. If doctors know this they can help when then prescribe new meds. I have a list of moms meds which I take to each dr visit. It designates AM or PM or AM/PM ( if she takes something twice) and also lists all those PRN meds that could be possible. Makes discussion at Dr easier and helps them understand the numbers of meds we really are dealing with.
Take care,
Carol
It really is about control. She has lost control of so many things in the past year that saying NO is one thing she can do. I try to remind myself of this.
I have also worked with doctors to us Extended Relief versions if available for things she takes...means taking one a day instead of 2 or 3. Trade two pills for one...so ask about that.
We also try very hard to only have meds twice a day AM and PM (except pain meds - which are more flexible as needed) that means only two arguments about pills and gives me several hours to get those AM pills in. If doctors know this they can help when then prescribe new meds. I have a list of moms meds which I take to each dr visit. It designates AM or PM or AM/PM ( if she takes something twice) and also lists all those PRN meds that could be possible. Makes discussion at Dr easier and helps them understand the numbers of meds we really are dealing with.