Administering covid test to someone with dementia

[Thumbelini]

Any ideas on how to test for Covid with someone who has dementia, doesn't open mouth for medication etc? MIL urgently needs to go into a care home FIL can no longer cope and she has become violent. Care home won't accept her without a Covid test. She is non compliant with testing as doesn't want to open mouth etc. Any ideas anyone can offer or if they have come across with issue before?

What a difficult situation for you all. In what way has she become violent, is she lashing out when you try to swab her mouth or all the time. I would seek advice from her gp or dementia nurse. Do they know she is not taking her tablets. You cannot force her to open her mouth. Would she agree to putting the swab in herself with supervision. . The more you force it the more agitated and frightened she will be. Does she have any lucid moments. If she is easily agitated how will you get her to the home, the ambulance crew will need support.

If you pinch someone's nose together, gently, they will open their mouth. Not kind but not painful. A very difficult situation.

Has anyone spoken to the care home about a period of isolation in the house prior to being admitted there rather than attempting to force her & someone else into an extremely distressing situation of taking swabs by force?
It’s likely to fail, it’s likely to cause an injury to either her or the person tasked with taking the swab, it’s just not right to do this to someone without capacity.

Strict isolation for a 2 week period could be a decent option.

I’d just swab the nostrils like you do for a young child who won’t comply. I’m sure they won’t refuse her for trying your best.

We occasionally see patients whose throats we can't swab, due to injury, size of mouth/tongue/jaw, frightened reaction, gagging, etc. We usually give it at quick try, but if it won't work, we do an super-thorough nose swab (both sides)

Just do the nose.

I'd probably do it as she slept, difficult situation but needs must.

Thank you everyone for the really helpful suggestions and taking the time to respond. Thankfully she complied and the test swabbing was successful phew! She goes in on Monday