Mom in MC with Alzheimer's refused meds for a month, they moved her to behavior health after severe depression and she is still refusing meds. What to expect?

For whatever it is worth....I'm 84. I live in an independent living facility, have my own apartment and participate in a few activities, but not a lot. Eat in a dining room 2 meals (my choice) a day at a table with 4-5 other women. I did a lot in my life and just want to rest in peace. I, too, have thought about stopping my medications, all of them, from heart, blood pressure, anxiety, memory loss, and all in between. I'm just tired of "hanging around". My family is active so I get very few visits. I can socialize with activities if I want and I do. I don't like most activities, so I am sure to attend a few during the week, and don't miss happy hour with my 1 spritzer and listen or sing along with the entertainer. I am tired, don't want to be bothered with activities, just want to pass my time. Never thought I'd say this, but I wish my time comes soon. I don't want to be "made" to do things, especially if I don't like the activity. I'm not into cardo, mat making, or coloring. There are a lot more activities I could name, but I'm just not interested. I have the daily news paper delivered, and would rather stay in my apartment and read it than go to an activity that I don't like, just because I need to get out.
My socializing is breakfast and dinner in the dining room with 6 other women at the table, and happy hour on Fridays before dinner. I prefer not to socialize too much, led a busy life, going to college at night starting at age 38, and ending when I was in my early 60's. Led a busy life, was assigned all over the world from Europe to Asia, and traveled while working in those continents. Part of my job was traveling around the Pacific teaching classes, so I am well versed on different cultures. I just want to be left alone to do what I want. And I'm ready when God wants to take me, only wish it were soon. I'm not being morbid, I just lived my life and now want to let go. Does this sound crazy?

Moms doc at the memory care AL ordered most of her meds ground up and put into her food when she refused to take them. It's time for you to find a new doctor if 4 messages have not been returned! I don't know if this is the "behavioral health" doc or her PCP at the memory care. In any event, it strikes me absurd that an AD patient would be sent to a "behavioral health hospital" in the first place, as if this is a behavior problem and not Alzheimer's at play! As if this is the very first time the facility has had to deal with a resident refusing pills!

At my mother's private pay MC, there were no social workers on staff. At all. The RN together with moms PCP ought to be able to figure this out themselves. If not, then look into hospice if moms meds are life saving in nature, such as heart meds. Extending the life of an AD sufferer is cruel anyway, imo. My mom's meds were more for pain relief and depression than anything else.

Good luck.

What Social Workers are there?
You need the doctors bombed with messages here. This isn't normal that they will not respond to you. You need to know the plan here or to be part of the plan as to whether the option now is hospice, palliative, forcing medications, to other options.
This is something only you and the medical personnel can deal with, and they MUST. Go to the admins; go wherever you must and don't stop.

Most meds can be ground up into her food. Find a new Dr if current one is unresponsive. Yes, hospice care would help.

When my mother became agitated with increasing symptoms of sundowning and refusing her medications I called her previous geriatric psychiatrist who recommended Seroquel. It initially helped with her anxiety but eventually she did not want to take any more medicine. We were lucky she had a do not resuscitate advance directive and we enrolled her in Hospice. They had more tools at their disposal to help with her anxiety.
I strongly suggest contacting hospice. There are different criteria for dementia patients. It doesn’t mean she is actively dying. As our hospice nurse said she is slowly strolling. Good luck. It’s a really awful thing to watch.

Some medications can be administered by a patch, some can be formulated as a liquid. Either of these might be an option.
Be careful crushing or grinding pills, some are coated so they dissolve at the proper time or they are coated so as to mask a bad taste. Capsules usually should not be opened. And time-released should never be ground, crushed.

My mother has also been refusing her meds. When she was at home, she refused medication until after a meal (so in her mind, there was a reason). When she was in the hospital, she refused because it was in applesauce (she doesn't like applesauce). Now, she's refused because it's ground up, but she can taste it in pudding!
I have suggested that the small pills can be taken by mouth and the larger can be cut in half and swallowed.
I explain what each pill is and what it's for. She takes most pills now and usually from the same nurse.
I know that this is not your entire issue (my Mom doesn't have Alzheimers) but maybe some of my post may help you.
Best wishes

My cousin with mid- stage ALZ had to physically be carried into the ER for abad UTI infection , fighting and scratching her own son. After that treatment and recovery, she was non-compliant with meds for her agitated behavior. Her kids needed her to transition into a care facility. The hospital had her in their "psych" ward for a month or more, until they were able to get her to take meds. I'm not sure who provided the aid, but she had one who stayed close to her room all that time.

I agree you should find another doctor if at all possible. I'm so sorry that your family is going through this. May you receive peace in your hearts.

Tresha: It's time to locate a proficient doctor. That is unacceptable for the current, less than subpar doctor to not return four messages. If the medications can be ground, your mother will then be able to ingest them with food. Why on earth was a woman suffering from Alzheimer's sent to a behavioral health hospital? Good grief!

There are medications that can be given IV and via IM (into muscles) to help with her anxiety and agitation. Those can be given until she is less anxious and more biddable to take oral medications. Once she is less anxious and agitated - and takes oral medication - she can be switched to oral anti-anxiety medications.