Hi ,I'm so sorry to hear that you are having this problem. If I were you , I'd take her meds and put them in one of those 7 day container s .That way she would still have control for each day of the week but you would have control over the larger amounts of her med and could keep track of what she has taken -and or - if she mixed them up. . If you have to sneek them from her I would -for her own safety. It may make her feel that she is still in control and you could even say your doing it so you don't get mixed up and if the doctor has any question about her meds then you and she would be able to tell him nore precisely how things are going.I had to do this with my brother when he was living with me as he would take more medicine then he was suppose to .So I took it from him ,even though he  through a fit. When he understood that this was the way it was going to stay he accepted it and we went forward with the program. I will say be ready for an arguement but stick to your guns and it will settle down.. My best to you. and your Mom. These changes are not in anyway easy for you or your mom,but it needs to take place..Teri

Hi ,I'm so sorry to hear that you are having this problem. If I were you , I'd take her meds and put them in one of those 7 day container s .That way she would still have control for each day of the week but you would have control over the larger amounts of her med and could keep track of what she has taken -and or - if she mixed them up. . If you have to sneek them from her I would -for her own safety. It may make her feel that she is still in control and you could even say your doing it so you don't get mixed up and if the doctor has any question about her meds then you and she would be able to tell him nore precisely how things are going.I had to do this with my brother when he was living with me as he would take more medicine then he was suppose to .So I took it from him ,even though he  through a fit. When he understood that this was the way it was going to stay he accepted it and we went forward with the program. I will say be ready for an arguement but stick to your guns and it will settle down.. My best to you. and your Mom. These changes are not in anyway easy for you or your mom,but it needs to take place..Teri

The otherside of the coin.  How important are her meds?  Your mom is 87, and that is about the time we stopped all of my mom's drugs.  She is 95 now.

Naturally I cannot predict what the outcome of no drugs for anyones life will be.  But I think that it is something that you should think about....because she can't. 

Also be aware that  eventually your mother may not be able to swallow pills.

The otherside of the coin.  How important are her meds?  Your mom is 87, and that is about the time we stopped all of my mom's drugs.  She is 95 now.

Naturally I cannot predict what the outcome of no drugs for anyones life will be.  But I think that it is something that you should think about....because she can't. 

Also be aware that  eventually your mother may not be able to swallow pills.

THIS IS A VERY IRRESPONSIBLE SUGGESTION - HOW CAN YOU SUGGEST TAKING AWAY A PERSON'S MEDICATION? I'M GLAD IT WORKED FOR YOU, BUT FOR MOST PEOPL;E THIS COULD ONLY RESULT IN GREAT COMPLICATIONS & POSSIBLY IRREVERSIBLE HARM. I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WOULD SUGGEST DOING THIS.

THIS IS A VERY IRRESPONSIBLE SUGGESTION - HOW CAN YOU SUGGEST TAKING AWAY A PERSON'S MEDICATION? I'M GLAD IT WORKED FOR YOU, BUT FOR MOST PEOPL;E THIS COULD ONLY RESULT IN GREAT COMPLICATIONS & POSSIBLY IRREVERSIBLE HARM. I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WOULD SUGGEST DOING THIS.

As a nurse I can tell you that the elderly metabolize their meds much slower and ineffeciently than a younger healthy person. Interactions between various drugs are easy and common. Do be sure each drug is necessary--do this with her doctor of course but do some research yourself by reading up on each drug and its side effects and desired action. You must be mom's advocate because to be honest you care more than her doctor does. He/she is just too busy.

With my elderly dad, a wrongly prescribed drug was the beginning of his end.
He was on dialysis and twice had seizures there (never before in his life). So off to the hospital and they diagnosed grandmal seizures and put him on an anticonvulsant. Eventually the side effect of this anticonvulsant made him fall at home, so hospital admission, and he never went home from the institutions. He died in nsg. home 3 mos. later. Previous to this he lived in his home as he wanted. Come to find out, at my investigative efforts by probing his doctors, the seizures were caused by the dose of sodium the kidney doctor ordered for his dialysis cleansing! So he didn't need the anticonvulsant!!! I kick myself for not probing into this sooner before he fell!!!

So be sure mom needs every single med she is taking. The docs mean well but the family can pick up lots of points that may need to be changed.You see her more often than they do.

As a nurse I can tell you that the elderly metabolize their meds much slower and ineffeciently than a younger healthy person. Interactions between various drugs are easy and common. Do be sure each drug is necessary--do this with her doctor of course but do some research yourself by reading up on each drug and its side effects and desired action. You must be mom's advocate because to be honest you care more than her doctor does. He/she is just too busy.

With my elderly dad, a wrongly prescribed drug was the beginning of his end.
He was on dialysis and twice had seizures there (never before in his life). So off to the hospital and they diagnosed grandmal seizures and put him on an anticonvulsant. Eventually the side effect of this anticonvulsant made him fall at home, so hospital admission, and he never went home from the institutions. He died in nsg. home 3 mos. later. Previous to this he lived in his home as he wanted. Come to find out, at my investigative efforts by probing his doctors, the seizures were caused by the dose of sodium the kidney doctor ordered for his dialysis cleansing! So he didn't need the anticonvulsant!!! I kick myself for not probing into this sooner before he fell!!!

So be sure mom needs every single med she is taking. The docs mean well but the family can pick up lots of points that may need to be changed.You see her more often than they do.

Okay I'm a first timer here. Have a issue with a father in law who has been dagnosed with frontal lobe dementia. He seems to be getting very suggestive about sex and having inappropriate conversations about sex with all the females in the family, young and old. Is this part of the dememtia or something else. He is in his late 70's and wife died 6 months ago after a 50 marriage.

What should I be looking for? Help please!

Okay I'm a first timer here. Have a issue with a father in law who has been dagnosed with frontal lobe dementia. He seems to be getting very suggestive about sex and having inappropriate conversations about sex with all the females in the family, young and old. Is this part of the dememtia or something else. He is in his late 70's and wife died 6 months ago after a 50 marriage.

What should I be looking for? Help please!

To Carol...or anyone else who may have this problem: I have been a personal caregiver to 2 family members for a number of years in the past, and am currently a caregiver in an Alzheimer's assisted care facility. I don't know what medication your mom is on, but when it is necessary to give someone certain medicine and they refuse, the doctor is usually able to allow you to grind up the medicine and you are then able to give it to them in pudding or another sweet tasting food. As I said, this should only be done when the medicine is necessary, the person is not able to make their own decisions, and it is in their best interest to take the medicine. This is simply one way to make sure that they receive the care they need. Good luck and God bless...

To Carol...or anyone else who may have this problem: I have been a personal caregiver to 2 family members for a number of years in the past, and am currently a caregiver in an Alzheimer's assisted care facility. I don't know what medication your mom is on, but when it is necessary to give someone certain medicine and they refuse, the doctor is usually able to allow you to grind up the medicine and you are then able to give it to them in pudding or another sweet tasting food. As I said, this should only be done when the medicine is necessary, the person is not able to make their own decisions, and it is in their best interest to take the medicine. This is simply one way to make sure that they receive the care they need. Good luck and God bless...

my mom is 79 years old and has a hard time taking the pills, because it says on the bottle that it may cause drowsiness, that is scary for a senior citizen that lives by her self

my mom is 79 years old and has a hard time taking the pills, because it says on the bottle that it may cause drowsiness, that is scary for a senior citizen that lives by her self

I just started caring for my Mom and she take 8 meds every a.m. She would tell me she took them but hadn't. I used one of those 7 day containers and put them at her breakfast plate every morning and then watch her take them. She says she doesn't need any of them but so far has taken them faithfully. I have noticed a BIG difference if we "forget" the anti-psychotic, she becomes sad, depressed and more delusional. Good luck, this has to be the most difficult job in the world!

I just started caring for my Mom and she take 8 meds every a.m. She would tell me she took them but hadn't. I used one of those 7 day containers and put them at her breakfast plate every morning and then watch her take them. She says she doesn't need any of them but so far has taken them faithfully. I have noticed a BIG difference if we "forget" the anti-psychotic, she becomes sad, depressed and more delusional. Good luck, this has to be the most difficult job in the world!

I have to agree with Caregiver_Retzy. I work on a caregiver blog and this is a big reason that many people look for in-home care help.

Best of Luck, Bill www.rightathome.net/seniorhomecare

I have to agree with Caregiver_Retzy. I work on a caregiver blog and this is a big reason that many people look for in-home care help.

Best of Luck, Bill www.rightathome.net/seniorhomecare

I agree with you. My mom is 75 and has Altzheimers and a lot of other health conditions. She still has her long term memory. I cannot think what would happen if I withheld my mother's medications. She would probably have a stroke and be bedridden. She lived alone for 25 years in another state with no family around her. She started taking medications that were very old and not taking the ones she actually needed. She had 2 car accidents within a month. I finally took FMLA from work and cleaned out her house and put it up for sale. She had 2 acres and it took her 4 days to mow her land. I moved her to an apartment near me. She is still able to cook and clean for herself with no problems. She just has a problem with taking her meds and remembering what people say to her or what she has said. I pour up her med for the week. I have full control of them. She fussed a little at first but she now realizes that I have her best interest at heart. She has a wonderful female doctor that backs me up 100% when I take her for her appointments.(I don't let her drive anymore either.) I discuss issues with the doctor in front of her so she knows exactly what is going on and she has her imput too. I told my mom that she took care of me when I was young and now it is my turn to look after her.

I agree with you. My mom is 75 and has Altzheimers and a lot of other health conditions. She still has her long term memory. I cannot think what would happen if I withheld my mother's medications. She would probably have a stroke and be bedridden. She lived alone for 25 years in another state with no family around her. She started taking medications that were very old and not taking the ones she actually needed. She had 2 car accidents within a month. I finally took FMLA from work and cleaned out her house and put it up for sale. She had 2 acres and it took her 4 days to mow her land. I moved her to an apartment near me. She is still able to cook and clean for herself with no problems. She just has a problem with taking her meds and remembering what people say to her or what she has said. I pour up her med for the week. I have full control of them. She fussed a little at first but she now realizes that I have her best interest at heart. She has a wonderful female doctor that backs me up 100% when I take her for her appointments.(I don't let her drive anymore either.) I discuss issues with the doctor in front of her so she knows exactly what is going on and she has her imput too. I told my mom that she took care of me when I was young and now it is my turn to look after her.

I suggest you try giving her medication in a yogurt, or hot cereal. I hope it works. God Bless you both.

I suggest you try giving her medication in a yogurt, or hot cereal. I hope it works. God Bless you both.

I was a nurse for over 30 years and the last 10 years of my nursing career was taking care of Alzheimer patients in their homes--24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

That being said, I want to differentiate that not all Alzheimer patients act just the same and according to which stage of Alzheimer that they are in is what will usually dictate the way they act. I have been through all the different stages of Alzheimer with my patients and can give you some benefits from my experience.

There comes a time when your loved one will not want to take his/hers medication even if you let him/her take it themselves. A neurologist gave me very good advice on how to get my patients to take their medication without agitating the patient. Most Alzheimer patients have good appetites and especially love sweets (until the end stage that is). This is what I did to get my patients to take their medications. Without them seeing me do it, I crushed up their medicines and mixed it in peanut butter and then I spread the peanut butter on crackers and told my patient that it was a snack I had especially made for her. The neurologist told me that peanut butter covers up the taste of medications better than any other food and I found that to be true because I was able to get my patients to take their meds without any problems. I also do this for myself when I have to take especially bitter pills and have a hard time swallowing them.

When your loved one goes into the last stage of the illness, your problem won't be getting him/her to voluntarily taking medications. By that time your loved one will no longer know how to swallow.

In the mean time, if your loved one is still of mind that he/she can take their meds on their own, I would monitor them to see that they do take them and take them in the right amount because they don't always remember if they took a med or not and also there is the high risk of taking too much or too little of a drug. Please do not give total control of the medications to your loved ones because you will never know when they enter a stage that is even more confusing to them than the stage that they are in. Good luck to you because I know what a challenge it is to take care of someone with Alzheimer.

I was a nurse for over 30 years and the last 10 years of my nursing career was taking care of Alzheimer patients in their homes--24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

That being said, I want to differentiate that not all Alzheimer patients act just the same and according to which stage of Alzheimer that they are in is what will usually dictate the way they act. I have been through all the different stages of Alzheimer with my patients and can give you some benefits from my experience.

There comes a time when your loved one will not want to take his/hers medication even if you let him/her take it themselves. A neurologist gave me very good advice on how to get my patients to take their medication without agitating the patient. Most Alzheimer patients have good appetites and especially love sweets (until the end stage that is). This is what I did to get my patients to take their medications. Without them seeing me do it, I crushed up their medicines and mixed it in peanut butter and then I spread the peanut butter on crackers and told my patient that it was a snack I had especially made for her. The neurologist told me that peanut butter covers up the taste of medications better than any other food and I found that to be true because I was able to get my patients to take their meds without any problems. I also do this for myself when I have to take especially bitter pills and have a hard time swallowing them.

When your loved one goes into the last stage of the illness, your problem won't be getting him/her to voluntarily taking medications. By that time your loved one will no longer know how to swallow.

In the mean time, if your loved one is still of mind that he/she can take their meds on their own, I would monitor them to see that they do take them and take them in the right amount because they don't always remember if they took a med or not and also there is the high risk of taking too much or too little of a drug. Please do not give total control of the medications to your loved ones because you will never know when they enter a stage that is even more confusing to them than the stage that they are in. Good luck to you because I know what a challenge it is to take care of someone with Alzheimer.

It is prefectly normal for any person like this to get sexual or struck on a family menber, Honestly they really don't now the diffference. This is like stages that will on bring many things, Good luck this will slowly leave his mind.Then something else will take over.

It is prefectly normal for any person like this to get sexual or struck on a family menber, Honestly they really don't now the diffference. This is like stages that will on bring many things, Good luck this will slowly leave his mind.Then something else will take over.

I would suggest to crush her meds into something like pudding; Espeically when she gets hard to swallow. Anyway it worked for my mom and still does she is at that hard spot of swallowing, Her Meds have been crushed way before this started.Have a exp. nurse to show u how to separate into daily med container and crush them each doses morn.even etc

I would suggest to crush her meds into something like pudding; Espeically when she gets hard to swallow. Anyway it worked for my mom and still does she is at that hard spot of swallowing, Her Meds have been crushed way before this started.Have a exp. nurse to show u how to separate into daily med container and crush them each doses morn.even etc

My mom has Alzheimers and we got her one of those medication machines that costs $35 rent a month and it is set to the hours that the person needs the medication and sets off an alarm for about an hour until the person opens up the slot with the meds to take.If they do not take the meds, an alert goes to the company to call the family members. This worked for many months and then now works off and on as my mom takes her meds out and puts them down somewhere at times forgetting to actually take them.

My mom has Alzheimers and we got her one of those medication machines that costs $35 rent a month and it is set to the hours that the person needs the medication and sets off an alarm for about an hour until the person opens up the slot with the meds to take.If they do not take the meds, an alert goes to the company to call the family members. This worked for many months and then now works off and on as my mom takes her meds out and puts them down somewhere at times forgetting to actually take them.

HEY. Many diffrent things happen with alzhimers, Please be patient it will pay off.Your mother does not understand, And More you will need to do all these things and so much more. It"s sad to watch your mother go through all kinds of steps in this sickness,My heart and prayers are with you and her.

HEY. Many diffrent things happen with alzhimers, Please be patient it will pay off.Your mother does not understand, And More you will need to do all these things and so much more. It"s sad to watch your mother go through all kinds of steps in this sickness,My heart and prayers are with you and her.

Yes My heart goes out to You,Vanessa Reitano NH Here!If there are capsule forms of any pills, open them up and serve in pudding or applesauce, she won't know it has changed for her, You could also try an exchange game for her, fake coins or money to pay you for the meds time- She will see it as a rewards time, the mind can somehow remember "reward"! Either you pay her or she pays you no matter here! bright colors attract the mind, play a color game with her- blue tickets get the small tiny pill or green ticket get's the yellow pill, you could use dominoes or colored cards as (Money) she will respond a bit better tell her (You) need to do this so you can do a much better care job. It's so she will be better and know more about her care. Some how they respond to this. In the Office store they have colored dots I use them for my Husbands meds,, Blue-Night, Pink-day, green last pill of the day usually (lipitor)Just before bed time ---- It works fine for him and He just changes the bottle cap when he gets new pills to complete his empty prescription. There are lots of ways to help the med problem. Smile All is well

Blessings to You and Yours.

gteino93@comcast.net

Yes My heart goes out to You,Vanessa Reitano NH Here!If there are capsule forms of any pills, open them up and serve in pudding or applesauce, she won't know it has changed for her, You could also try an exchange game for her, fake coins or money to pay you for the meds time- She will see it as a rewards time, the mind can somehow remember "reward"! Either you pay her or she pays you no matter here! bright colors attract the mind, play a color game with her- blue tickets get the small tiny pill or green ticket get's the yellow pill, you could use dominoes or colored cards as (Money) she will respond a bit better tell her (You) need to do this so you can do a much better care job. It's so she will be better and know more about her care. Some how they respond to this. In the Office store they have colored dots I use them for my Husbands meds,, Blue-Night, Pink-day, green last pill of the day usually (lipitor)Just before bed time ---- It works fine for him and He just changes the bottle cap when he gets new pills to complete his empty prescription. There are lots of ways to help the med problem. Smile All is well

Blessings to You and Yours.

gteino93@comcast.net