Refusing to take medication. Can she be forced to take it?

[Penfold007]

Long story but I'll try to keep it brief. My 80+ DM has various longstanding medical conditions. About eight months ago she decided to stop taking all prescribed medication except paracetamol. Her GP wasn't totally happy but accepted her decision. The consultants she sees for her rheumatism and immune system have both accepted her decision and said that the medication wasn't helping anyway.
Doctors all say she has the capacity to make her own decisions. It is now becoming obvious that her mental state is declining.

Fast forward to earlier this week, DM fell and broke her arm, she also has a large ulcer on her leg. She is in hospital. The staff are trying to force her to take medication that she doesn't want. She has agreed to take pain relief and antibiotics but nothing else. They are trying to force her to take blood pressure medication (her BP is fine), statins, thyroide meds and calcium supplements. Yesterday I had to advocate for DM and tell them that she has clearly said no.

Can they force her to take unwanted medication? I wish she would take the medication but in all honesty she's had enough of living and she just wants to join her DH.

I would try to ensure that her refusal is put into her notes so that she cannot be given meds without her consent. When my Step-father was admitted to hospital they wanted to transfer him to ICU. My mother had died 6months earlier and all he wanted to do was join her. The hospital were very understanding and he was given Meds just to keep him pain free. He was realeases into death a week later.

I hope they cannot force her, she obviously doesn't want to be here any more and that should be respected.

No it would be abuse to force

What do you mean force her to take them, do they physically put them in her mouth and force her to drink and swallow them. It would be best practice for the doctor and pharmacist to discuss this with her and respect her wishes, if she doesn't want them they can be discontinued. If she is prescribed them and not taking them the nurses would record that on her drug chart with the doctor and pharmacist should review anyway.

Sorry to disappear been trying to deal with a few issues. Force as in put the tablets in her hand and expect her to swallow them. I've asked the doctors and pharmacist to note her refusal and respect her decision. Tough times ahead.