Medication Refusal

[DorsetCamping]

Following in from my previous threads about DM's delirium and long stay in a MH unit here I am again!

DM has been in a lovely nursing home since Xmas but is refusing to embrace it or even accept it. She is on several different meds but won't take any of them as apparently "they're chalk".

It's a nightmare; I get told she screams the place down in pain yet won't do anything to help herself. I get daily calls from the exasperated nurse pleading with me to reason with DM, but she won't even listen to me.

It's like dealing with a toddler but I get told that because she has capacity (I don't necessarily agree) they cannot force her, or hide the meds in her food.

I don't know what to do; she is on several different meds and if she would only take them her quality of life would improve, yet she refused to accept they are of any benefit.

Are they pain meds. Can her doctor prescribe patches instead if she wont take tablets. The doctor needs to review her, they cannot force her to take them but the doctor needs to know.

You can also ask if any of them come in liquids which she might take

Thanks @DogsSausages, hadn't considered other methods of delivering her meds (and surprised the NH hasn't either)

Am going in to visit this afternoon and will ask about patches/liquid etc. Anything other than tablets

Good luck, I hope you can get something sorted out for her.

There are ways of giving medication through a "covert medication pathway". The medication must be essential and harm would come if not given. Her GP should be able to advise I have done it on occasions. If liquid medication is available that may be the first line to go down.

Hi @Dorset I was wondering how you were getting on {Flygirl, name change here!) . Sorry to hear your DM still has not settled. I agree with other posts about patches etc, would she listen to the GP rather than you or the nurses? A bit off that they call you, I wouldn't be having that. They should have the expertise to deal with situations like this. How did your visit go today?

Thanks @OnthePiste - nice to hear from you!
It does feel relentless. DM has been diagnosed as severely depressed, yet is flatly refusing medication including ADs.

I get told she screams and shouts a lot and is quite aggressive to staff which really makes me concerned that the delirium is returning.

I also still think she has dementia as she rambles, repeats herself and can't focus, however it's so hard to pick that apart from her depression.

It's exhausting and I pick up vibes that the staff are getting annoyed as I'm sure she must be disturbing the other residents.