My 97 year old Mom has Parkinson’s with dementia. She has started to refuse her medication. Her Parkinson’s meds are timed so she can at least have some movement. I feel that when she refuses the meds it because she is a bit out of her mind. Can I force her to take it?
You can hide it in foods (I know some Parkinson's meds are difficult to do with foods are there are some protocol you have to follow, at least my friends husbands meds are pretty strict with the types of foods and when he can eat after taking the meds, or what he can eat before them)
If you are her caregiver and her taking the meds means that taking care of her will be safer for you and for her that is a valid reason for wanting her to be medicated.
You can ask the doctor or the pharmacy if the medications can be administered in a different way.
Some meds can be formulated as a liquid so it is easier to get someone to take them.
Some meds can be done as a suppository not the most glamourous way to give a med but it is effective.
Some meds can be done as a patch that can be placed on the body in an out of the way area so it can not be easily removed.
And at some point there may be no point to the medications.
Please discuss with her doctor before discontinuing any medications. and discuss at what point can they be discontinued and if that is an option how to stop them.
could you please give me the link to this book?
Regards.
REDHA
Because of the complexity of the new subcutaneous pump system it might be hard to handle for someone with impaired thinking. They might pull out the needle or tangle up the tubing.
I believe they have pumps now and perhaps even patches.
All I can think of is trying a small milkshake, and putting the meds in that. What are these meds for anyway? She's not going to be cured by taking them. I'm surprised she doesn't want to move....but at that age, it's her choice.
I wouldn't force someone 97 years old to take anything. It's just not worth it. You can ask her Doctor what is the worst case if she stops the meds? Go from there.
I am so very sorry you're going through this.
Talk to the doctor.
Some medications can be dosed as a patch that is applied someplace on the body where a person can not easily reach it. (middle of the back) Some medications can be done as a liquid that is easier to stir into food or drink. (you do have to make sure the entire portion is consumed)
Some pills, tablets should not be crushed or broken. Capsules in general are not to be opened. so ask before you try crushing or breaking any to give. Some times the best information is from the Pharmacist they are easier to get hold of than the doctor and often have more knowledge about medication formulation.
Or, is your Mom having trouble swallowing the medication? More information would be helpful.