How to get someone with dementia to take medication

Welcome to the place where I share dementia tips, strategies, and information for family members caring for a loved one with any type of dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, etc.)
Today’s video focuses on how to get your loved one with dementia to take their medication, even when they don’t want to. If your loved one asks a lot of questions about their medications, refuses to take them, or if it feels like a battle every day to get your loved one to take their medication, then this video is for you. I go over the top 5 tips to make medication time easier and increase the chances your loved one with dementia will take their medication without a fight. Let me know what tip was most helpful to you and what other tips you do with your loved one.
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In case you haven’t met me, my name is Natali Edmonds and I am a board certified geropsychologist. That means that I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with older adults. One day, while hiking a trail, I came up with the idea for Careblazers and I decided to see if posting videos online could provide help to the many other Careblazers in the world who don’t get to have help come directly to them in their homes. I hope that this work helps you in some way on your caregiving journey.
#careblazer #dementia #dementiacaregiver

[@tbone2859]

When my mom won’t take her pills, putting them in a tablespoon of chocolate ice cream has worked. Just one at a time. She’s going to be 90 in December. She’s on a lot of meds. I hope this keeps working because, I do understand the INCREDIBLE frustration when she initially refuses. Good luck and my prayers to all of you taking care of someone.

[@jelizabethpetrie6656]

93 yo mom who doesn’t like to go to sleep till 3am. So she can finally want be ready to take am pills by noon🫣, so the evening is like 10-12pm is her 2nd dosage. Won’t let me help because she’s ‘been doing it 60+ years’ but she is religious about her Sunday routine of filling her weekly am/pm box. The ice cream idea is great! She knows the importance of her medication just tired of the monotony of it.

[@OWK000]

My mother has decided that there is one important medication that is not what it is and had been discontinued. She's taking the rest so this is weird. I have tried the advice nurse with her healthcare to convice her. That worked one or two days. Interestingly she seems to latch on to certain lies or fabrications and repeatedly remember those and forget everything else. It's very strange and disturbing. I will try the ice cream. I have been seriously thinking about putting a pill in a piece of hot dog like I would for the dogs.

[@SuperNewKittie]

My mom is a mean dementia patient. Extremely mean and combative on EVERY single thing. We are living in a nightmare controlled by a person in a constant state of psychosis, it seems. We just got her on Seroquell 4 times a day. My 86-year-old dad is her caregiver, as she will not let me move in to help. My dad is frustrated and often uses language that triggers her into meltdowns that result in the police bringing her home after she runs out. He is tired. He is exhausted. I go over as often as I can (at least 4-5 days a week), but it's a 1 hour drive each way and has seriously disrupted my ability to earn an income, I am slowly sinking and will be homeless when this is all over. Dementia is an epidemic, something needs to happen to get people help before they are on the streets.

[@olivecu843]

i really hope you're okay. it's extremely draining and at times it seems hopeless. if you can hold onto that hope and resilience, you'll make it another day. you may not be religious, but i'm going to say a prayer for you. that God watches over you and your family and keeps you safe and warm. may happiness come to you, your friends and family, and your mother.

[@Ted...youtubee]

Holy cow... That's bad. My mother in law is in a home. In 4 weeks she went from mild to psycho. Claims she is being whipped and has scars on her back.... I checked.. Nothing. Yells at my wife tells her to get out. It's weird. So I am here learning.

[@producerlinda7109]

I have the same situation with my 93 yo mom. So sad to watch this bullshit disease take them from us before they’re gone.

[@Only-me-observing]

Can't she go into a permanent care home?

[@micheleharbaugh]

I totally understand what you are going through. The meanness is just unbelievable.

[@dawnl.7945]

My grandma will say I already took it... when she hasn't. I fix up her weekly pill box and found out she was moving pills into different slots. She gets upset sometimes with me saying she doesn't need my help. It's hard, but I was talking to my cousin and we thought about taking s picture of what she is supposed to take (morning and evening) and doing a print out check list instead of her trying to write it down in her so spiral as she now writes it wrong. Anyway we're going to try to be creative and calm for sure. Being calm and walking away when she's not has really helped me. God bless everyone with your loved ones 🙏

[@marymurphy2605]

It's not going to work. My step-daughter has the same problem with her mother. Wendy fixes her weekly pill containers, but the mother moves them around, adds vitamin pills and ends up NOT taking her BP meds as directed. No kind of memory device works--even giving her a call at the time of proper time of days doesn't work as the mother immediately forgets or has screwed her phone up so that it doesn't work. The daughter cannot be on hand 24/7 as she has her own family and responsibilities. The mother is 'well enough' that she knows her name and thinks she can manage on her own. She has just told the home health aide that was coming every two weeks, to not come back. So Wendy is stuck with having to wait for something catastrophic like a stroke or heart attack to happen, before she can get her mother into some kind of care facility. (We cannot help living 2 hours away with our own health problems.)

[@robertar.5189]

Buy an electric pills dispenser secured with a key. It worked for my mom

[@Joy-W777]

I just started giving my husband his evening meds about an hour before bed when he is still distracted by watching TV. It worked as he didn’t argue with me as he does nightly. When he seems really upset and just turns over to sleep, I skip them because him being content is more important.

[@harrykoschorreck8144]

thank you. Yes it is frustrating. Same with cooking. I make excellent dinners to find he is not eating. Sits and ignores the food. An hour later he may take a bite. You are the rare good soul helping with your info. Thank you a bunch!!!

[@DementiaCareblazers]

You are welcome. Keep up the good work. Offering him small snacks throughout the day, or smaller portions throughout the day might also help. It sounds like you are doing a great job!

[@yeseniasolis4042]

Your not alone my mom wakes up at 7 am wants breakfast then once I’ve prepared it she’s sleeping on the table and tells me she’s sleepy and going to bed.

[@joannippins8510]

TY 4 UR help. In the last 4 months my aunt who had Dementia lives with us. She has been totally compliant with meds until the last two weeks. She either refuses to take meds or she takes them in front of me doesn’t swallow them and hides them with her tongue in the cheek crevice of her dentures. I was shocked. I notice it when I went in her restroom with her and saw the meds in her dentures when she removed them and witness her throw the meds in trash. She thought I wasn’t looking. She pretends to sneeze after drinking water and takes a tissue to wipe her nose and spits the meds into the tissues either she gets up throws the tissue in trash or puts it into her pocket. She ask for ice cream and uses the wrapper to hide the meds into it while she eats the ice cream. She does this right in front of us. She is so good at it that three of us myself,husband and home nurse all missed it. She is like a magician performing optical illusion ( I am not trying to be funny, but it’s amazingly real). So, checking her pockets, bathroom,trash and food wrappers on a constant basis non stop. We even tried crushing and hiding it in her food. Sadly, she is refusing to eat food. She thinks we are poisoning her. My ultimate concern is her health. She takes 11 meds a day. She is almost 89 years old. I am concern she may die from not taking her meds regularly or timely. Please help so desperate to hear available solutions.

[@DementiaCareblazers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marieshane125]

My Mom does this. She was hiding them or spitting them out into the glass.

[@007nadineL]

Yr not God. You can't manage her medications. You have to let it go.

[@janetfishwick8887]

My 92 year old mother lives on her own and has stage 4 Alzheimers. She is supposed to take low doses of medication for her irregular heart beat. Mother has a pill box with designated days of the week clearly shown. Mother does not know what day, time ,year ,month or season it is. Her medication is either forgotten or doubled and even her carers are not allowed to physically administer it. This is just another frustrating issue which we have to deal with, alongside her stubborn and total non compliance of !most of the help she is offered.

[@heidih3048]

Lives alone with Stage 4 Alzheimers? I don't think that is legal. Whoever is the POA is legally responsible..

[@martaruvalcaba6016]

Thank you Dr. Natali. I will use the tips you shared . Mom's in the final stage of dementia she is in hospice in my home.Watching your channel is very helpful. I am so grateful 🌻🌻🌻

[@waynetalbert8109]

My wife has dementia and she fights everything.She won't take her meds, she won't bath, she is bad diabetic and eats everything she shouldn't,and doesn't want to get dressed.She doesn't care how she looks if we go anywhere, which we don't anymore.Nothing works anymore!!!

[@GraveRave]

Thanks for the vid, but my dad just keeps the med in his mouth no matter how much water he drinks. He doesn't have an issue swallowing, but I'll see if the doc offers them in liquid form. This isn't just with meds but food as well, he won't eat anything but liquid food.

[@kimberlyevans7853]

If he likes applesauce or icecream maybe Dr can give his meds in capsule so you can mix the powder in with the sauce, icecream or pudding.

[@cherylvickers1311]

If my Dad has dementia and has paranoia. He doesn t believe he needs the medication. He aware enough but forgetful. I can’t get him to take the medication

[@hershey4364]

I was having a heck of a time getting my husband to take his pills. I’ve begun putting the pills in my husband’s mouth 2 at a time. He drinks water and swallows and we go on to the next 2 pills. He takes about 20 pills in the morning and 6 pills in the evening. This is working great for now.

[@kimberlyevans7853]

Every so often my dad totally refuses to take his meds, mom was so upset she actually called the police to help I was there one day and mom told me dad wasn't talking his med So I asked him why He said he was giving his body a break so it wouldn't get use to it. I said hum I understand that but some med has to build up and stay at a certain level in you body for it to work esp your memory and mood stabilizers that's been a couple weeks ago I hope it stinks for awhile esp for my mom. And that he quits getting neighbor to get him alcohol lol

[@staycalm.]

I hate antipsychotics for schizophrenia but i imagine i relate to that dementia patient and the person medicating me feels pretty sick and tired of it i wouldent be surprised anymore if i just get medicated without being told

[@robertar.5189]

My mom used to complain A LOT (and sometimes even refused to take her meds) when I would propose them to her. Also, I once saw her dangerously messing up with her pills. I then bought an electronic pill dispenser (secured with a key, as well as the battery lid). Surprisingly, it has become a joke between the two if us: we call it the "flying saucer" and she is more willing to take medications out of it, rather than from my hands. Bad days we have, but much less than before. At least as at today...

[@brittanybland8380]

Y'all! The automatic, programmable pill dispenser we got off Amazon earlier this year has changed our lives big time with our situation. I load it up and lock it back every week and she runs and gets them when the alarm goes off. Before she was hiding them and all manner of things because she has always been a control freak and a rebel and dementia just made that worse. For her this has given her back some independence and she is as happy as a lark. Being on a schedule and taking everything without missing meds is extremely important for your brain and body and definitely switch doctors if they keep adding things that the blood tests show are not necessary and cuss you out when you ask them questions. You can get better care and fire your doctor if they are making you worse.

[@christianeherz2438]

I don´t know how I came here-but I am glad, I did.Very helpful - it is just what I needed so bad...my mother has dementia- ever had I am afraid-and the caretaking of her almost ruined me. I had no idea what to do and felt so much exhausted most times in my life..wasn´t funny at all. So, finding this website is a huge relief. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge - it is a great help !

[@DementiaCareblazers]

Thank you Christiane! I'm glad the channel is helping. If you ever have any specific questions or topics that you'd like to see, please let me know. Sending you and your mother all the best in this new year!

[@songoftheblackunicorn666]

Ok will try that. That automatic pill dispenser.should work

[@rachelclark5125]

We have made “pill pockets” with cut up Rice Krispie treats for the pills that can be crushed

[@harrykoschorreck8144]

he is an 86 year old teenager and not communicative. He is fine....me ready to pull my hair out at times. I am very patient....but it's not enough if I can't get his blood pressure pill in him.

[@DementiaCareblazers]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. It can certainly be stressful trying to get your loved one to take medications. It sounds like if this situation keeps up, then you might need the blood pressure medication because of all the stress. I hope some of the tips in the video can help, and sometimes trying to offer him the medication when he seems to be in his better moods might help. Just check with his doctor regarding how flexible the timing can be for that medication. I hope 2018 is a little easier for you. Hang in there!

[@deboraslay9494]

Thank you so much 🥲

[@Cyriac-Sebastian]

I am new to the Careblazers because it is only recently I found out the Careblazers. I just saw this video today. I was doing all these tricks for 2 years and nothing worked. (of course, every patient and caregiver is different) I just trick the person by adding the meds crushed and adding to the milk tea or ice cream or food. initially, it used to work for a year, but the person finds that the taste of tea or ice cream is different, and rejects to eat or drink. It gets frustrating. Now I need a new approach to administering meds when they totally reject to take meds in original form, with food or drink. I don't blame the patient since mostly all the meds are extremely bitter. Any new ideas or tricks?

[@Stella-kx3lt]

Try crushing meds up and using preserves, jelly or jam

[@Stella-kx3lt]

SebastianUSA if you tell the person that the meds are vitamins you will have no problem getting them to take it. They know vitamins are good for you. Hope this helps..

[@marythecontrary]

When my son was little, he occasionally had to take a pill for asthma, that was extremely bitter. I put chocolate syrup on hid tongue, put the pool in it, a little more chocolate syrup, then gave him milk to wash it down. Worked like a charm!

[@rcastrini76]

I tried all off that before watching your video and non of that really worked for me. Thank you anyways.

[@wildandbarefoot]

And... Smile.. it promotes acceptance.

[@DementiaCareblazers]

YES! Such an important thing that we can all do!

[@lydiakinnaman3679]

Mom says we are poisoning her. !!

[@tmendez880]

great

[@songoftheblackunicorn666]

How do you transition from a whole weeks worth of medication access to access to one dose at a time. She took twenty pills one afternoon and now I am not legally permitted to give her access to a weeks worth of pills anymore and now she says it was a mistake I won't do it again but I won't take my pills unless you give me ALL of them. I don't know what to do.

[@harrykoschorreck8144]

I am not gay...but I do feel and act like a mother. Love makes a huge difference .

[@DementiaCareblazers]

Love does make a huge difference. Even when someone has severe dementia, taking a tender, loving approach is important. Keep up the good work, Harry.

[@harrykoschorreck8144]

your response is very appreciated. Daily I see or speak with no one. I live and he ignores me very well until he makes insulting remarks. Years of being a Buddhist monk in my background and enough suffering this lifetime to appreciate pain in others as well. Thankfully I laugh at myself any chance I get so Leslie being insulting in the very few remarks he does make...I agree with him and thank him for the laughter. He feels mentally justified that I am a damn fool idiot. lol. The take away for me is...how many demented or other weak folks can easily be targets of abuse. And again ..thank you and I decease from taking further advantage if you. subbed.

[@carlagarrett3244]

Men are allowed to love like that too. ❤

[@michaelfreeman8413]

TEACH 🙌

[@Snooch-wi6yq]

What would you recommend for a swallowing problem. Pestal and mortar and food?

[@tisenhow]

We tell Dad its time to take his handsome pills 😂

[@joescheller6680]

i do the vitamin thing but she says i am trying to poisen her

[@DementiaCareblazers]

I'm sorry. Does she eventually take her pills every day? Keep telling her that you love her and want to keep her health. Have you considered also taking "vitamins" with her. Things like tic tacs or altoids can serve as your vitamins. Sending you all the best of luck!

[@mmahoot]

Dr. Natalie, is there any medication you would recommend to help with fatigue and anxiety? My husband is not doing well at all. Thank you. Mary

[@DementiaCareblazers]

Mary Kate Sullivan-Morley I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Anxiety can be caused from so many different things in dementia. I will do a future video on this. Do you know what is the cause of the anxiety? Is he restless? Confused? Scared? What do you notice that tells you he is anxious? I will let you know when I do the video.

[@deep6301]

​@@DementiaCareblazers 😂

[@micheleharbaugh]

My Mom can be a tyrant! I best describe her as a very angry, naughty toddler. She comes up with the CRAZIEST reasons she won't take her pills. One day, the water is poison., Another day someone is trying to kill her by giving the meds, they are the wrong meds, she doesn't need them. Just today, she told my dad that he and my brother are trying to give her salt water. My dad gets so upset, which in turn makes him neurotic over her taking the pills. He gets so irritated that he yells at her. Daily drama. We probably couldn't even slip them into ice cream or anything because she would say she doesn't want any. It's a neverending battle. My dad will be 89 tomorrow. He loves mom so much and wants to take care of her. I worry about his mental state. I want to bring outside help in, and Mom refuses saying she can do everything herself. She can't even get out of a chair, dress or undress, shower, or toilet by herself. There are days my Dad and I are at our wits end. I have to work, so it's hard for me to spend a lot of time daily there. He can never get away from her. I miss my mom.....

[@maryannbarnett4588]

Mine I say. It vitamin s

[@williamwofford2503]

I have to watch my mom close when i give her pills or she will cheek them til I'm not looking and then she will spit them out , or she spits them into the water glass

[@robincrego4222]

And when they just plain refuse, even tho meds are crushed and either in pudding or ice cream? She doesn't think she has a problem.

[@007nadineL]

Give up. You can't control this

[@leesher1845]

That whooshing sound is really annoying. My guess is that a teenager or 20 something did that - someone who knows little to nothing about dementia or what’s involved with caregiving.