Every Thursday after dropping off my granddaughter I go to my parents home to fill up mom’s meds. For the past few weeks meds are amiss....missing from certain days and mom blames me for not filling her med organizer correctly. I use the same method I use for my husband (been doing this for years) then double check to make sure everything is accounted for. I did not screw up. Now I’m wondering where the meds went. She does have mid level dementia which I fear is getting worse. My dad is in charge of her Tramadol (she has no access), but I am concerned since many of her other meds need to be taken on a daily basis.
Also dad just paid an exorbinate amount for hearing aids (miracle ear). After MANY adjustments she does not wear them. Says they are too heavy and cause headaches and her veins to pop out on her temples (not). We are wits end between missing meds and her not wearing her hearing aids. The audiologist told her she needs to wear them for eight hours at a time to get acclimated and that this would be uncomfortable in the beginning.....to no avail.
Has as anyone experienced this? Any input and advice would be much appreciated......thank you!
Unfortunately she will progress in her dementia. Sometimes what is a problem now passes as her abilities decline. Remember that what she says is what she believes.
So if she says you are messing up the pills, just go along with that. It does no good to reason with her.
“I may be mom, that’s why we are going to use this new pill box. I got DH one also. I don’t want to be making mistakes on either of your meds. It’s too important.”
But as I say that, I also remember that my aunt, 92, would occasionally flush hers. We had to sit with her until she swallowed them and ask her to leave them on the table if she suddenly needed to go to the bathroom. If I suspected she had flushed them, I waited a bit and took her bp. If it was high, I knew she hadn’t taken them. I try very hard not to be bossy or too invested that she follow my rules. They hate that. I try to position myself as her partner in helping her to get what she needs.
About the hearing aids. My husband just got his a few months ago. He says they are very difficult to get used to. The adjustments did help my husband but still difficult.
It may be too late for her with the hearing aids and her degree of dementia.
Dont forget when she acts out that a UTI is always suspect and of course the double dosing could be causing a problem.
There is a thread going on right now where different med boxes are being suggested that provide more control over access.
You can tell mom whatever you need to. Someone is taking them. We need to protect the children... whatever. I hired a daily aide to dispense my aunts meds when she started skipping but the right pill box might give you a bit more time before you have to take stronger action.
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/help-with-medicine-control-449273.htm?orderby=recent