Bed bound 85-year-old parent spits out meds or wont wake to take them on time.

Question

W

Wisdomseeker Asked June 28, 2025

Bed bound 85-year-old parent spits out meds or wont wake to take them on time.

What tips do you have for this problem? Mom sleeps many hours a day now and wont wake for meds - which are many after C Diff infection and 2 bleeding ulcers which were endoscopically repaired. They threw all the meds they could at her GI issues and she is on prescribed vitamins as well as two antibiotics, and other meds (!!!). We have a provider appt in two days (it is now a Saturday). She spits out meds and the poly pharmacy is affecting her ability to wake. Wondering if anyone has encountered this and has any tips. At least to get through the weekend. Thanks.

Medication Management Medications Refusing Care Swallowing

6 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First

Recent Questions

Related Questions

score 1 · Answer 1

It sounds like she’s is tired and no longer wants to get better. Actions speak louder than words. I also think a hospice consult is in order or an admit to a skilled nursing facility.

Helpful Answer (1)

score 0 · Answer 2

They also make vitamin patches, so if it’s general vitamins and not something special you have to have the pharmacy make, I’d try those.

I use patchMD vitamin patches.

Helpful Answer (0)

score 2 · Answer 3

If antibiotics are being given, the deadly C-diff will be there whether medication for it are given or not. It is caused by too many antibiotics and it kills. Quite quickly and quite easily when someone is already bedbound and very ill and debilitated. I would discuss palliative and hospice care now, or I think you are looking at administering these meds with NG tube which would require some restraints to prevent pulling.

At some point the quality of life isn't good enough. I think the person you are describing now belongs in a skilled nursing facility to a whole plethora of reasons. I am so sorry this happened. This is someone severely ill, and medications simply might not be able to cure all this.
You should also know that the medications for C-Diff are hideous to take. They are very foul tasting and mixing them in anything crushed isn't going to work. They often lead to vomiting even when someone CAN willingly swallow them. I had to take some of the same meds for a severe diverticulitis and didn't think I would make it through the 10 days; I lost 20 pounds and could not eat. I still remember how good a poached egg on toast was when finally I wasn't fighting 24/7 nausea despite anti-emetics.

I am so sorry.

Helpful Answer (2)

score 1 · Answer 4

My experience is to crush them and put them in applesauce or yogurt. After the spoonful is in the mouth follow it with a sip of water that way it cannot be spit it out.

Helpful Answer (1)