Mailbox Response

The question was submitted Saturday, 8 March 2008

Subject: medication

My mother refuses to take any tablets.
She is not taking on any prescription medications,
however the asprin and vitamins suggested cannot be given to her. I have tried to rationilize, downloaded
from the internet, even though I believe she has lost
her abilitly to read it. When she was in hospital she
refused all medication and while she declined rapidly mentally in hospital it amazed mean she could remember
where she hid her medication and had discovered ways
of disposing it. She would bring it out and hide it in
the food she was not eating. At the same time she could
not remember her address,
Would you please give me your opinion on this and if there is any way I could persuade her to take her asprin
and vitamins

Answer from DementiaNet

Many of the altered behavioural patterns associated with dementia are very frustrating for family members. When a person with dementia refuses to follow instructions it is very difficult to overcome this. It is best to simply accept that trying to coerce the person is futile and that other strategies are needed. Thankfully aspirin and vitamins are not crucial pills like thyroid medication and insulin are. Mum will probably not come to any harm by not taking her pills. You might be able to give her some liquid vitamin preparation and put it in her tea or coffee. Aspirin can be bought in a soluble form and given to her mixed with another drink eg orange juice. If one strategy fails then think laterally and try another approach.

The answer was published on DementiaNet Friday, 14 March 2008