Returned shortly from my weekly visit to fill up on mom's meds for the week. She needed refills for three scripts and they were ready for pickup on Saturday. Dad called me yesterday and said he didn't get the Cymbalta because it was too expensive and mom told him she wasn't taking it anymore anyway. She has been without it for two days. Mind you.....she has dementia and is not capable of making these decisions. I explained for the umpteenth time.....she cannot stop any meds without her drs. approval.....and I didn't care how much it costs (they have the money to pay).
I picked up the meds and filled her container with strict instructions for both of them.....do not mess with this. She is on a few prescriptions that require to be weaned from before stopping completely. Now she tells me she wants to go back to her "cell food" naturals (which is not cheap) because they don't ruin her brain. I made an appt. with her PC on Monday.....HE can explain it (of course she would have to wear her hearing aids that give her a headache....so that remains to be seen) because I apparently don't know anything. Other than to go over (not possible) every morning and physically make sure she takes them, I'm at a loss. They really do need to move to AL, but that's a rant for another day.
As I have said before, those of you that do this full time....you are heroes. As time goes by and my parents situation deteriorates I hope I can summon the courage, strength and PATIENCE that you all have shown through your comments. Peace,
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What's the hardest part of dealing with their medications as a "semi-remote caregiver?"
99 years old from what I saw in an answer... \
Has assisted living or other type of senior assisted living ever entered into the converssation with your parents... especially closer to you so you can have more control or sanity?
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What is the "cell food"? A supplement? If so, probably couldn't hurt and I personally would not have doctor talk her out of it, IMHO.
If your dad doesn't/can't help her manage taking her meds as directed, maybe it's time to have a caregiver come over every AM to assist her with this and maybe do a few other things for her/them?
Cell food is one of those so called miracle cure all natural supplements. And I'm just not sure of the interaction with all her other meds is safe. Potency suppression, etc. Although I'm not against supplements per say (I do take a few myself) I feel it unwise for her to go that route. She thinks because she feels better now she can switch. She feels better BECAUSE of her meds. I f she stops some of these altogether she will crash and burn. Hopefully the doc can convince her how necessary it is to continue her regiment, otherwise your suggestion of a caregiver might be our only option. Thank you for responding.