Medication refusal, what to do?

Um. If a legally competent adult refuses medication, it most definitely is against the law to administer that medication covertly. The law protects us all from people sneaking drugs into us without our knowledge or consent.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but if you want to go that route it is most important either to have your parent certified incompetent and action the MPOA or to obtain guardianship.

I would definitely speak with the home and tell them to put her meds in applesauce or Ice cream as the others have said. It is not against the law. I see
It done everyday at mynMom's assisted living and even in hospitals. Some pills can't be crushed for whatever reason but the ones that can should and put in whatever she really likes to eat. The one problem is that the nurse or someone needs to watch while she eats to make sure she eats everything.
Good luck. I know so many people who are having this same problem and so far the only thing that works is putting it in food.

My wife has been bedridden for almost 4 years with dementia. There are moments when she refuses to be cooperative. At those times I simply change the subject. Two minutes later she has forgotten the problem and then I try again, repeating the procedure as necessary. So far that technique has worked. If necessary I would prioritize the medicines. Some are much more important than others.

My mom though she refuses her meds, she answers that she wants to live when asked and she says she wants to go home (that is the NH where she has lived for at least 2 years). She has not said she wants to go be with my dad and brother (who both have passed on). The doctor recommended Hospice because of her kidneys fluctuating, her MRSA infection, and she to be debrillated a couple of times for her erratic heart beat, but now in Hospice she won't and that could be the end, but I don't know. Every evening I go home to my cousin's to wait for a phone call and none come. The waiting is the most stressful besides knowing my dear mom is going to leave me very soon.

(((((shala)))) my mother is 101 too, and still lives in independent living with home care 4 x a day. Sometimes I wonder if she will outlive me. She takes her other meds, just not the antipsychotic that would make her and everyone else's life so much easier. I agree with letting people go when they are ready. Mother wishes to die but she s too darn healthy physically.

When elderly people living in NH refuse meds and food it might be because they prefer to check out. Why force them to hang on to a life devoid of joy? They should decide when enough is enough. My 101 year old mom continues to take her 5 meds every day, in the mean time her two caregivers and I are slowly expiring.

Try crushing the pills and mixing with something sweet - like jelly. That's the technique I use with Mom. It's mostly successful.

((((((hugs)))))) Wisconsin POA, MPOA is not the same as guardianship. If the person is not capable of making decisions for themselves the court can appoint a guardian to make those decisions. The POA is appointed by the person when they are competent to assist that person in the stated ways. I think it is fair to say that guardianship gives more power. It is a distressing situation. My mother who is pretty well physically but mentally ill will not take the antipsychotic meds that help her. You cannot force them to take meds. I have read on here that in some cases meds are put into food but not sure how legal that is. Is you mother competent? If you think you could get guardianship it may be the right route, She certainly is not doing herself any good by refusing treatment. How ill is she? I she getting ready to go? Hope the new doctor has some ideas. Let us know how it unfolds, (((((((hugs)))))

Karen - (((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) to you too Have you talked to hospice and/or her doctor to get an idea of what to expect. It is too bad she is refusing the thrush meds as they would make her more comfortable. Sounds like you are in a difficult situation.

My mom was just put in Hospice day before yesterday. She also had been refusing meds and she refused to eat. In the last 3 days she has started eating a bit. Most foods taste bad because of the thrush infection in her mouth/tongue, but she refuses the medication for that too. Hence most things taste bad to her. She loves her tomato soup and ice cream. She indicated that she wanted some pain medication after the packed her wound on her backside (MRSA they cultured), so they gave her the med crushed in applesauce and she ate most of it. They told me not to worry about the MRSA as long as the wound is covered and it is and it is by her bottom. The said just to wash our hands and we would be fine. I think I covered a bunch of things here. I came to Michigan from California to see her and find out how bad everything really are. Before this Hospice she was in a NH for a couple of years. I just need emotional support now. Maybe being in Hospice has different criteria? She also has a GAL and that is another sore subject with me. Thanx.

Thank you stevensmom. There is one nurse that she works well with, which happened to be the one gone over the holidays. I was able to coerce her last Weds., will have to wait for updates I guess. The NH said it is illegal for them to put meds in her food. I suppose my Dad could try that, if they allow it.

So sorry you are in this tough situation. Only things I can think of off the top of my head are putting the meds in something she likes to eat (ice cream, pudding, shakes) or asking if there is a particular staff member at the NH whom your mom gets along really well with and seeing if that staff person can talk her into taking the meds. If you could at least get her back on the anti-depressants, maybe she would feel happier and start taking the others--not taking the blood tests for diabetes is pretty urgent, in my opinion. I'm surprised you can't get the new M.D. to see her sooner. Best wishes!