Refusing medication

[foxyknoxy30]

Hi over the years my mum has been very good at taken her medication for her various health problems but since October has been in and out of hospital, currently in and is now refusing to take her medication! !There is one very important steroid she especially needs to be taken due to leg ulcers. I have tried to speak to drs but due to time of year can not get a consultant? Has anyone had similar problems and how did you manage to get it controlled? Thanks

Following.

MIL with mid-stage mixed dementia has been refusing all her medication since May. No-one we have spoken to so far has been able to suggest any way of getting her to take it. She no longer has capacity, which seems to make it more complicated.

Find out from the nurses when ward round is. Normally happens early morning about 9am on weekdays.Go in for it. A doctor should be in attendance for that at the bed side. It may not be your mum's named consultant but they should be able to offer advice. Also ask about mental capacity as that is something they can check. We have been through this with my father in law in the last year.

If she has capacity to make her own decisions she cannot be forced to take her tablets, the pharmacists are always very helpful at looking through drug charts. Perhaps you could ask the doctor to have a word with her to try and find out why she doesn't want to take her tablets anymore, they might suggest going through the list and seeing if she will take important one. What steroid is she on for leg ulcers, sometimes medication can be given in different forms like liquids if people don't like the taste or fine them difficult to swallow,

My Dad who doesnt have dementia seems to be making decisions for himself against GP advice... Drives me up the wall.

GP has given him co-codamol (hes got arthritis) and told him how much to take. So Dad takes 1/4 dose because he "doesnt want to get addicted". All because one of his stupid friends told him this. He'll listen to them but not a qualified doctor!

GP told him its fine to take. Then Dad tells GP it "bungs him up". So GP, gives him Senna. He won't take this because he "doesnt want to be caught short".

Then moans to me about how bad his knees are and how much pain hes in.