Our 81 year old mother was recently diagnosed with dementia. How should she be convinced that she should not be administering her own medication?

This is just the first of many issues like this: driving, finances, living alone, etc. All will require family intervention at some point. Now is a good time to think See also:
Two months after my father-in-law's passing, my mother-in-law with dementia no longer recognizes my wife. What could have triggered this?

See all 141 questions about Treatment and Medication for Alzheimer's and Other Dementias about how to approach these issues. In general, I recommend that you think about it as a partnership. Tell your mother that you want to help her remain as independent as possible if that is what she wishes. So you will work together to find solutions that you can both live with as issues come up. Always remind yourself how you would feel in this situation and try to help her maintain as much dignity as possible.

Don't automatically assume that a diagnosis means she can't do things. The first question is whether she is having trouble administering her own medication. Many people with early dementia can still manage this for awhile. If she says she can do it, ask her to show you how she sets the medication tray up. If she can do this correctly now, you may just need to monitor for awhile. The other piece is whether she remembers to take her medications each day. Help her come up with a routine that builds this in; it might be a note on the calendar or a daily phone call from you. There are also a growing number of products made for people with memory loss: pill bottles with alarm clocks built in, telephone reminder systems, and others that may be useful. Call the Alzheimer's Association (1.800.272.3900) and ask for help finding out about these.

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There are two characteristics to a person with dementia: poor judgment and poor reasoning. I am always amazed at how many people attempt to credit the individual with dementia with good judgment and then begin to reason with them. Medications is an area that should be controlled by someone with good judgment and adult reasoning. When my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2003 (see remembering4you.com), I became the "pack" leader in our family. It was critical that I take full responsibility where medications, and other areas such as financial, were concerned.

To answer the question posed above: "How should she be convinced that she should not be administering her own medication?" that is easy. As dementia progresses, the family caregiver has to take on more and more responsibilities, while the person receiving care is taking on less and less responsibilities. Planning ahead for setting up this care is extremely important.

Good luck to you and do stay strong.

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