When is it acceptable to stop giving elderly medication?
It's a constant fight to get my Grandma to take her pills, because she has trouble swallowing. I've tried putting them in chocolate pudding, and that kind of stuff, but she won't eat it. She holds it in her mouth and then spits it out. She has 6 in the morning, and 10 at night. Is there any way I can get her to take her meds easily?
If not, when is it acceptable to stop giving the meds? She's 91 with severe dementia. I know the pills are keeping her alive, but at this point are they really helping? She takes 3 just for blood pressure, allergy pills, vitamins, and all of that. She has pretty much stopped eating, only drinking when she takes her meds, sleeps all day long, can't walk or even sit up without help, talks to the dead, says she's been places she hasn't, cold all the time. I can tell her body is giving out, so what's the point of putting off the inevitable, and putting her through h*ll? They aren't helping her, and she doesn't have a good quality of life. I don't see a point in them anymore.
For several reasons, that included, we switched doctors. The new one is closer and I was able to sneak out of work to attend half of her visit.
At that time, I told him that she had too many pills and to please review and determine if we could drop some. When I looked at the new medication list after the appointment he had ADDED pills.
I am determined to make it to the next appointment to discuss medications.
If you are absolutely determined give the pills crush them and mix with the pudding or apple sauce. Not to say that she won't still spit them out. Dont crush anything that is long acting. Ask your pharmacist a phone call will do and ask for pills she is taking can't be crushed. As advised talk to the Dr or a hospice evaluator.
If Mom is not eating and hardly drinking her need for the pills is probably not a consideration unless it is for her comfort. Hospice will often not treat a UTI with the caregivers permission. It certainly sounds as though Mom is well on the path of her final journey, as you have recognized. So keep her comfortable and pain free. Most end of life medications can be given in liquid form
She needs to be spoonfed her pills with applesauce or pudding or she will not take them. Sometimes she clamps her mouth shut and she has been caught cheeking pills and spitting them into her napkin.
Last night I told her that I was fine if she never wanted to take another pill again, ever, but she had to put it in writing. She opened her mouth after I said that.
I have told her to tell her doctor how she feels about the pills. But, when her appointment comes, she is the most sweet and compliant patient. She won't say a word about not wanting to take pills.
Frankly, I could care less but not for the fact that I don't want to get accuse of not taking proper care.