Hiding meds to keep husband from overdosing. How do you do it?

Buy one of those locking boxes and hide it in the guest room closet. Include the non prescription drugs too, as an overdose of anything could be dangerous.

My husband does the same, gets mad and always finds them. It's terrible, but I can only do so much. I feel my husband should know better, and it's his life. He gets very mad at me.

In the car trunk during cool months, at the neighbor's house, get a lock box, somewhere in the garage or attic. Talk to your doctor about alternate be types like a patch and blister pack meds to make it more difficult for him. Get a combination or keypad lock for a closet.

They Actually have lockable pill boxes on them with little alarms on them to either remind you to take your pills or not to.

iin some states, its okay to have an overdose. i am going to move to that state. i hear people very seldom use it, its just that they do have power and control, which is everything.

I had the same problem with my mother. I found a pharmacy that pre-packages all medications for a 4 week period. There were 4 card containers that had morning, noon, evening and bedtime slots for 7 days clearly marked. Just push the medications through the bottom for the particular day of the week and time of day. It's easy to see what is left and for some to see if the meds were taken. It's easier to manage that way. The pharmacy I used here in Florida used to deliver them every 4 weeks. The assisted living facility where my mother is now uses a similar service from different pharmacy so if you don't know where to start, I suggest go to a local ALF, Rehab center and ask them who is available, then talk to his Doctor and get the scripts written to that pharmacy.

have a lock installed on a small cupboard. No matter how mad he gets, unless he breaks it open with a crowbar, he will be unable to find the pills.

I have the same problem with my husband, as a result I carry all his pain meds with me everywhere, the anger and pouting is something that goes with the territory of lost control. The lockbox idea sounds wonderful I plan to look into that.

Mine was doing the same thing when he was first home from hospital, after he was in a bad wreck. They were strong pain pills, he was goofy from them, couldn't remember what he was taking, when, etc. It was scary. I got them out of the cupboard and counted them, he was way short. I flat confronted him, asked him if he wanted to die. Told him if he took more than the label said again I'd flush them, tell the Doc, make sure he got something much weaker. Put them in your purse then when you are home keep it in a corner of the house he has no business being in. (Like a sewing area, guest bedroom dresser.) Then if he's in there it will be an alarm, you can go check.

New2this. You have got the idea. Responding also to Susan no matter how you trust neighbors and even some family members if you are in charge meds be careful of entrusting them to others, being a caregiver is a sometimes rewarding but frustrating position.

Can't believe this thread came up, have been going through this with my husband for four years. He has chronic RSD in his leg, especially in the winter months he gets like this. I am so frustrated and so happy to meet other wives going through this. My husband is only 56 so I just get tired of it all.

I made an event out of loading our pill boxes. His and mind. He was interested for awhile but it didnt last. I hide what I needed to and left Tumeric on the counter. They are huge and he never took more then one then none. You could also get empty capsules and leave those for him. It was a temporary problem, now I have to remember to give them on time.

What is A L F ? I live in Florida and my local Publix never heard of the blister packs the only mail order pharmacy that I found is $28 dollars plus copays for 2 weeks with 28 pills . My husband is good about putting the out in 3 groups but than one will drop and he gets paranoid that this was a vital one.

You have never heard of a lock and key to a box?

Get a safe just like one that you'd put valuables in, that has a numerical code lock. There is no way he can open it or smash it open.

Have professionals control your husband's medications, why put you through this stress

I bought 7 daily pill containers and marked each one with day of the week. Once a week filled up the containers and set the daily containers out where he could get them, I got the containers with 4 sections, am - noon -etc.
then hid the prescription bottles (I used extra bedroom closet). Worked well for me,
he felt he had control over his medication because he was opening the container and taking, also helped him to remember what day it was, Tues container empty - it must be Wed.

And I did not have the hassle of dragging around the pills, finding the darn key for a lock and him being angry at me cause I locked something away from him, of course to make things easier I told him that I was doing it that way to make it easier for me rather than to dole out pills on a daily basis and it actually was. I did make sure to let one of the kids know of the hiding place should something have happened to me.

LOCKBOX, LOCKBOX, LOCKBOX. There is no other safe or reasonable way to keep medications, especially narcotics, out of reach. You need to think of this exactly the same way you would a small child: keep it out of reach, out of sight. And then keep count, every day. If you cannot do this one thing, you should not be a caregiver, as a "mistake" here can be fatal.

Anything that might be a danger to him, or that he could use to hurt you should be locked up, including scissors, knives, OTC meds cleaning chemicals or whatever he might get into to demonstrate his independence.

You don't mention if dementia is involved here. If so, of course it's pointless to argue.

I find it works best with my oppositional mother to take a deep breath, get to a calm place in my mind and respond with affection. After all, I'm controlling things out of love and devotion to her and my tone of voice and facial expression (smiling) need to reflect that.

Blessings to you both for harmony in your relationship, despite the trying circumstances.

1. Bubble/blister packaging: You could contact the pharmacy to see if they can bubble pack his medications--this means they have a sheet of medications organized by day & time, according to his medication schedule. There'd be a bubble for Monday morning, then another bubble for Monday evening, etc. All you have to do is pick the correct day/time and push the medications through the foil backing. This is often helpful for people who need help remembering if they took their medications. However, not exactly tamper-proof, but it could be kept somewhere locked.
2. Get rid of all old medications that he should not be taking. But do not flush them down the toilet/sink or throw them away--a lot of medications can be toxic to the environment and water supply if disposed of this way. Your local police department might have a program that takes old medications and disposes of them properly. Or you could contact your local Senior Information & Assistance office to see if there is a place locally to take old medications.
3. Find a place in your home where you could keep all medications locked away. A lock box, a closet, a cupboard, a safe... anywhere you'd have pretty easy access and he wouldn't.
4. Medication dispenser machine: There are many different companies that offer locked, tamper-proof medication dispenser machines. You would need to organize the pills and program the machine to dispense/unlock for access when it is time to take his dose. These machines usually have an alarm to remind someone, and some even have a service where you can receive an automated phone call or a call from a person at a call center to remind you to take your medications.
5. Mediset: This is a lower-tech way to organize the medications into a pill box. There are so many different kinds--some with just one dose per day Monday-Friday, some that have two or three doses per day, even some that have a box for each day of the month. Again, you would have to organize the pills in the box and figure out a place to keep it locked away, but it would be a cheaper alternative and help you keep his medications safely organized, and it would make your life much easier.
I hope these suggestions help!

we had this problem with a family friend and soon as you left the house on the hunt they would go. Dad finally locked in the trunk of the car..then purchased a heavy duty locking toolbox-tamper resistant. I agree a safe or locking TAMPER PROOF box.Many are cheap and can be opened with a knife or pass key or a throw to the ground. Also there are easy to install door alarms to keep on the room where you keep the meds even if locked up if you open the door to room, closet etc... and the alarm will sound until you turn it off.Often that in itself will help deter the problem as everytime they try they get "caught". I would just have out the meds needed in the am and again in the pm daily-no weekly or monthly blister packs around the house keep them locked up and control the dosage that way! good luck-god bless!

A med box with a timer that only goes off when each dose is due is great. the rest of the meds in the bottles you can purchase a locked box or put a lock on a small cabinet. You don't say if he's physically able to be up and about or is confused; the only draw back to locked box or cabinet is he can saw or use bolt cutters to break in-if he's able. It can be a serious issue, esp. if he has dementia and doesn't understand the possible ramifications of a overdose.

One day I thought my husband had taken something he shouldn't have so I put all his blister packs and all the other pain relievers in our safe only keeping out a week at a time, then hiding them in my night table where he would not look. I would always bring him his meds so only if he had a headache would he go looking for something. That gave me peace of mind. The lock box sounds good if a safe is not available but I would suggest nailing or screwing it down to a shelf because with Alzheimer's he might move it somewhere else and of course forget where.

How about replacing them with candy? Maybe there is something that looks somewhat similar. Just trying to think outside the box.

My wife was hiding both our meds and I believe taking or throwing them out. I have a filing cabinet and I put a hasp and lock on it, just one drawer. If you don't get a small fire proof safe, they have different sizes.

My mom had a pain pill addiction when she came to live with me. First, I put all the meds where we all knew where they were, including her because I felt it was more respectful. However, that changed when I caught her several times, dosing herself up. I ended up putting locks on my closets and my office door, and I also have a safe in the office. I put all meds in the safe that were pain pills or muscle relaxants. I realized that I had no choice. I also offered her tylenol when she needed something, and as they looked just like the pain pills, she thought that is what she was getting. I just did what I had to do for safety reasons, and I did not give my mother any choice in the matter. I managed her medications and she had to get used to the idea, like it or not. Over time, it has gotten better. She knows that I am serious about being responsible, and there is not more sneaking of anything. I have removed all of those options.

FlemingD, The lock on a cupboard sounds best. That way you are up front with him and it reinforces your agreement to make sure he has only what is safe for him. Another thing is the locking, automatic pill dispenser that can be programmed to dispense pills on a schedule. This device helped me train my Mom to trust that I am making sure she gets the proper doses. If he forgets he had his pills, or thinks he should have more for whatever reason, he can see that he already took what the doctor has ordered to be safe for him. I do this for my mom with all her daily meds and also her tylenol for pain. She never remembers taking her meds, but that machine reassures everyone that she has or hasn't. She is still living alone, so I take all meds home with me. But the locked cabinet is a great idea. A box could simply get lost (or taken).

Here it is!! PHILIPS (one L) Medication Despensing Service.
It's an answer to prayer. Only way it wouldn't work is if they refuse to take the meds when despensed. I called, they met me at moms retirement home, set it up, showed me how to load it, ( plenty of manuals and the phone number has help line nearly 24/7) cost $99 to get machine, which kinda looks like a dehydrater for food. I pay $49.99 a month auto deduct on my Visa. Takes me about an hour to load a months pills, for twice a day. (you can load as many as you have on hand. Just stop filling the cups when run out of a medicine.). You fill cups, put lids on, install, it speaks " your meds are ready, press the button". When mom takes the cup from the machine it says " thank you, please drink extra fluids". An led box gives date, when next dose will be despensed. It is opened by a key which is needed for more details like how many doses are left, and other info. I hid a key under her sink and have one on my key chain. We live near St. Louis, Mo. But I believe it could be done through the mail. WHAT A BLESSING THIS HAS BEEN TO ME, Donna

My problem is the opposite....My husband, who has Alzheimers, absolutely hates, hates, and double hates to take medicine of any kind. He takes a lot, due to prostate as well as Alzheimers. I feel like the big bad wolf whenever I dole them out, which is at every meal. It is discouraging. marymember

Of course I had heard but had not thought of one in relation to hiding my husbands meds, or any meds for that matter, but it is certainly going on my list to get one.