How do you handle when a dementia parent forgets they have taken medication already?

I take it that she has been diagnosed with dementia.

I would consult with her doctor to determine the reason for her nausea. Maybe it's some med she's taking, a food issue, or something else. Solve that if possible, but if she still continues to request meds over and over, it could be that she just doesn't remember that she has already taken it. In that case, there is no real way to fix that.

You can post a chart of when she takes her meds on the wall and allow her to check it off or put stars on it, so she can see she has already take the medication, but that may not work well. I found that with my loved one, notes on the wall and things like that did not ever mean much to her and she would still repeat the same thing over and over. That stage didn't last long though. She no longer repeats things that much, but she has advanced with other issues.

Sadly, you just have to respond to her each time as if it was the first time. That can be very stressful. She may eventually ask for meds every waking minute.

You are already disabled. Do you have any plans for the future care of your parents as their conditions progress? I would really give that some thought as this type of behavior is only the beginning of challenging behavior in most dementia patients. I wish you the best.

Screwed up meds can be life threateningly bad. Mom tripled her Coumadin and ended up in ICU with a brain bleed. We knew she needed Assisted Living, where meds are dispensed. These facilities have staff 24/7 so they can deal with sundowning, midnight hall walking and falling down. It is a whole lot safer, give it consideration.

It might be some time before space is available in AL or Memory Care, so in meantime you could get one of those automatic medication dispenser, that you can load up a week's meds, set the timer, and it will sound an alarm and flash lights when she has to open that little parition and take whatever is in there. Thersr quite a few of these devices out there. For my parents all they needed was a chart, but someone like your mom with cognitive & memory issues could possibly get used to one of these devices. But long term sounds like she needs FT caregivers or NH or Memory Care unit of AL. All of these are extremely expensive, unfortunately so I hope you've figured out payment plan.

Thank you all - unfortunately all of these have been considered and/or tried. Every single doctor is baffled by the nausea and we have exhausted all avenues there, included full psychopharmalogical evaluation and removal of medications. Everything that goes in her mouth is written down on a chart. She doesn't take anything without my knowledge. She can't walk and we have the alarm medication dispenser, so she can't sneak any pills ... its just the emotional trauma of constant begging for the next pill that is so draining. And she only does it with me, because I am the one who manages her meds. she is never left alone. Thanks again for trying to help. I was just hoping someone might have an idea I hadn't thought of.

ATof3kids, haver you asked her doctor about giving her a placebo? I'm not sure if it would satisfy her not, but even if it cut down on half the requests for meds, it might give you a break. I'm not sure what is safe to use for a placebo, I would ask her doctor.

I might also suggest that it could be anxiety that is making her nauseous. That is not uncommon. Ask her doctor about some medication for anxiety or depression. If it addresses her anxiety, it might cure the nausea too.

she is on anxiety meds, which we just changed. she has been asleep all day so she hasn't had the new med yet. hoping it will make a difference tonight. placebo is a good idea - i'll check with her doc on monday - thanks!!