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Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
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What have you tried? How and when do you offer the meds?
I have had success by changing my method, reducing number of meds at a time, switching some to combo drugs. Eliminating some altogether. Picking my time and place to offer.
My DH aunt has “probably mixed dementia” vascular for sure. She was compliant with taking meds in her younger years. Then Forgot about them altogether, thought she had already taken them, saw something on tv that convinced her she didn’t need them, too many, what are they for anyway, I feel good without them, does that matter. The list goes on. So I adjust as needed. Does your DH get angry, throw them away, just leave them behind? Before aunt became basically bed bound, I always made sure she had her meds in her bedroom before getting into her chair. Once there she was calling the shots. I noticed if I divided them up into 3 pill planners so that she took fewer at a time, she was more compliant. She had forgotten she had taken the first group by the time she took the second etc. if she had breakfast first she would be full and not want to drink the water needed. so meds before food if he can tolerate that and before he gets his day started. In her case that consisted of switching channels. We have to take her pulse before knowing which BP Med to give in case her pulse is too low. So there is a bit of “doctoring” that goes on that seems to calm her. Oximeter. Temp, BP, all taken and recorded. that might not work with your DH but with aunt, she likes to know all systems are good. BP is so good today…these BP meds are working great. No stroke for you. Or whoops, your BP is a little high, let’s get your meds before you get up. Don’t want you to be dizzy. she saw me posting on her calendar yesterday and asked if I had to do that every day. I said It helps me remember. so I make it about my failings whenever I can unless that’s the day I am told I can just get the H out of her house. 🙄 So what’s your idea of why he isn’t taking them? Does he give you clues of what is going on. As always, remember the dreaded UTI can cause a sudden change in behavior.
My mom was refusing her medication too. So, I crush the pills and put in a small glass with cranberry juice. You have to mix really well. My mother drinks the juice and never questions the taste at all. The cranberry is a plus for her bladder and kidneys too. Hope this helps.
Please discuss what you are doing with the pharmacist -- many pills say not to crush or break them, as this destroys any time-release mechanism and it may not be beneficial to have the meds digest all at once. See if there are patch or other options for administering.
This is a problem you may never fix. My FIL didn't want to take certain meds, I don't know why, but he'd palm them when I gave them to him and he'd drop them down the side of the recliner. I found a huge pile of pills when I cleaned one day when he was at the hospital.
I remember thinking "well, dad, you SAID you didn't want to take these and you didn't, so you win, I guess".
DH recently spent a week in the hospital, really, really sick with something they never dxed. One thing they DID do was cut out about 1/3 of the meds he takes. He's actually feel better--minimally--so I have to wonder why he's on so many drugs.
I remind him to take them but I don't hand them to him. I'm done trying to make him want to live a better, healthier life. He just doesn't want to.
DH doesn't have Alzheimers, he just wants to stay in bed 24/7. I can't watch him kill himself with lack of care, so I bring him 2 meals a day and leave him alone.
Ask his doctor if the meds come in liquid form or if they're safe to be crushed. Then put them into your husband's food or drink. I've had many clients with Alzheimer's who refused to take their meds or could no longer swallow pills. This is what I always do. Just don't tell him you're giving him his meds.
I found my husband wasn’t any different on Aricept so I took him off it. Presently, he isn’t on any medications. The neurologist said frankly if they work it is just a temporary fix. With regard to other medication, you could possibly be able to give it to him in applesauce etc. You could see if it come in pills rather than capsules. I developed a problem taking larger pills so maybe he feels he can’t swallow them. Ask pharmacist or doctor for their advice as I’m sure it’s a common issue especially with compromised individuals. Best of luck!
Ask your pharmacist if any of the meds he's prescribed come in patch form. If so, put them on him where he can't remove it himself. Do not break or crush the pills -- they can be extremely bitter to the point where no "covering up" will disguise the taste. Also, it can ruin the time-release aspect of the med.
Nobody should alter any medication without confirming with the pharmacist that it is safe to do so.
Many pharmacists will provide in a liguid form, similar to what they do for youngsters. They have the ability to cover the nastiness so much better then a home chemist can.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
What have you tried? How and when do you offer the meds?
I have had success by changing my method, reducing number of meds at a time, switching some to combo drugs. Eliminating some altogether. Picking my time and place to offer.
My DH aunt has “probably mixed dementia” vascular for sure. She was compliant with taking meds in her younger years. Then Forgot about them altogether, thought she had already taken them, saw something on tv that convinced her she didn’t need them, too many, what are they for anyway, I feel good without them, does that matter. The list goes on. So I adjust as needed.
Does your DH get angry, throw them away, just leave them behind?
Before aunt became basically bed bound, I always made sure she had her meds in her bedroom before getting into her chair. Once there she was calling the shots. I noticed if I divided them up into 3 pill planners so that she took fewer at a time, she was more compliant. She had forgotten she had taken the first group by the time she took the second etc. if she had breakfast first she would be full and not want to drink the water needed. so meds before food if he can tolerate that and before he gets his day started. In her case that consisted of switching channels.
We have to take her pulse before knowing which BP Med to give in case her pulse is too low. So there is a bit of “doctoring” that goes on that seems to calm her. Oximeter. Temp, BP, all taken and recorded. that might not work with your DH but with aunt, she likes to know all systems are good. BP is so good today…these BP meds are working great. No stroke for you. Or whoops, your BP is a little high, let’s get your meds before you get up. Don’t want you to be dizzy. she saw me posting on her calendar yesterday and asked if I had to do that every day. I said It helps me remember. so I make it about my failings whenever I can unless that’s the day I am told I can just get the H out of her house. 🙄
So what’s your idea of why he isn’t taking them? Does he give you clues of what is going on.
As always, remember the dreaded UTI can cause a sudden change in behavior.
I remember thinking "well, dad, you SAID you didn't want to take these and you didn't, so you win, I guess".
DH recently spent a week in the hospital, really, really sick with something they never dxed. One thing they DID do was cut out about 1/3 of the meds he takes. He's actually feel better--minimally--so I have to wonder why he's on so many drugs.
I remind him to take them but I don't hand them to him. I'm done trying to make him want to live a better, healthier life. He just doesn't want to.
DH doesn't have Alzheimers, he just wants to stay in bed 24/7. I can't watch him kill himself with lack of care, so I bring him 2 meals a day and leave him alone.
Sure not what I had in mind for retirement.
I've had many clients with Alzheimer's who refused to take their meds or could no longer swallow pills. This is what I always do.
Just don't tell him you're giving him his meds.
Many pharmacists will provide in a liguid form, similar to what they do for youngsters. They have the ability to cover the nastiness so much better then a home chemist can.